this my body c Albeit be sore the wordes of the Fathers did call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the symbole or figure of his body So plainly doth the 350. Bishops assembled in this Councell deliuer their sentence in our behalf You see Right honorable Reuerend Graue and Learned Lords the compleate number of our Iury at whom no exceptions can be taken euen the Doctors of your Church being Iudges they being all not only within the first 600. yeares in which time was no corruption in Religion according to the confession of many of our aduersaries heretofore alleadged but in the most florishing estate of the Church Of which time your chiefe man Caluine saith It was a matter out of all doubt that from the beginning euen vntill that time Lib. 4. Instit cap. 2. §. 2. viz to S. Austins daies nothing was changed in doctrine Also in his booke of Institutions in French printed at Geneua by Conradus Badius Anno 1562. he saith expresly That it was a thing notorious without doubt that after the Apostles age vntill those times no change was made in doctrine neither at Rome nor at other citties So plainely do our learned Aduersaries acknowledge that no change of faith was made by the Romane Church from the Apostles age vntill the time of S. Austin Epiphanius Optatus c. which was 440. yeares after Christ Mr. Fulke followeth his Maister Caluine in this pointe saying in his Retentine Pag 85. The Popish church is but an Hereticall assembly departed from the vniuersall church long since Augustines departure on t of this life This is the most common opinion of all Protestant writers And thus much with your good fauours concerning the application of your terme of law called Verdict which is the Triall of honest Iurors SECTION III. THE TESTAMENTI SECONDLY if you respect VVitnesses you shall find all the Ancient Fathers for our cause in so much that sundry of our learned Aduersaries doubt not therefore to make generall disclaime in the ancient Fathers Hence it is that Mr. Whitaker a Learned Protestant affirmeth cont Duraen p. 423. The Popish Religion to be a patched couerlett of the Fathers errors In libel vita I wely printed Londini pag 212. idâ—m Fulk in his petent pag 55. Stratag Satanae li. 6. pag. 296 sowed together And that also Mr. D. Humfrey did greuously reprehend Mr. Iewell for his so bould appealing to the Fathers affirming therefore of Mr. Iewell that herein he gaue the Papists to large a scope that he was iniurious to himself and after a manner spoiled himself the church And Iacobus Acontius in his Treatise dedicated to Queene Elizab. speaking of the bad successe that Protestants writers had in citing the Fathers exhorts them to for beare the citing of them saying Equidem perniciosissimam omninoque fugiendam hanc esse arbitror consuetudmem Certainly I hold this custome viz of c. to be very dangerous wholy to be auoyded viz of citing the Fathers to the writers disaduantage But for feare of suspicion of our VVitnesses we shall bring men so indifferent to our aduersaries vs that we may say of them as S. Aust in like case disputing against the Pelagians saith of the Fathers before his time August adu Iul. Pelag. lib. 2. prope finem lib. 3. cap. 17. lib. 4. cap 12. Neque nobis neque vobis irati sâ—nt c They be angrie neither at you nor at vs what they haue found in the Church that they haue held they haue taught what they haue learned and what they haue receaued from their Forefathers they haue deliured to posterity In so much as your owne learned writers are not wanting in their like answerable commendation Caluine speaking of them saith They indeed speaking of catholikes Caluin Instit lib. 4. cap. 2. Sect. 3. alleadging Antiquity sett forth their churches very gloriously c they report out of Irenaeus Tertullian Origen Augustin others how highly they esteemed this succession wherto he there answereth giueth his like reason therof saying considering it was a matter out of all doubt that from the beginning vntill that time nothing was chaÌ„ged in doctrine the holy Doctors tooke in argument that which was sufficient for the ouerthrowing of all new errors to witt that they viz the Heretiques oppugned the doctrine which euen froÌ„ the very Apostles themselues had beene inviolably with one consent retained And Mr. Iewell a famous Protestant in his replye to Mr. Harding pag. 266 saith The godly Fathers meaning them before S. Austins time sought to the church of Rome which then for puritie in Religion and constancie in thesame was most famous aboue all others this fore said time was the first 440 yeares after christ Therfore for the further satisfaction of our aduersaryes wee shall bring for witnesses euen them who liued within the fore said time viz. within before S. Augustin his time If need were we might bring for witnesses S. Andrew the Apostle In Epist ad Eccles Achaiae cap. 1. who in a booke made by himself and written by his disciples and generally receaued for authenticall by the whole Churche Christian world these wordes are recorded to haue beene spoken by himself I daylie sacrifice to Almighty God the immaculate lamb who notwithstanding that he is truely sacrificed and his flesh truely eaten by the people yet doth he still remayne whole liuing S. Clemens Epist 3 no priest ought to say mask without the Bishops leaue S. Martial Epist ad Burdegalensis cap. 3. A sacrifice is offered vpon the Altar is God the creator not to man or Angell Of the said S. clement there is mention made in the Apostle S. Paule his Epistle to the Philippi caâ— 4. vers 3. where he is numbred among the followers of S. Paul and who was third Pope after S. Peter who did write many things which he had oâ— verball tradition of the Apostles who liued about the yeare 80. The afore said S. Martiall was sent by Saint Peter into France who afterwards was Bish. of Limoge in France who liued in the yeare 50. of whom Baronius doth write Likewise may be alleaged the fiue liturgies or Masses of the Apostles In Mart. 30. Iun. Proclus de Tradit diuina The first of S. Peter in defence of which Willaim Lindane a learned Catholike writeth an Apologie The second of S Iames the greater alleaged by S. Proclus Patriarch of Constantinople who liued in the yeare 460 The third of S. Iames the lesser alleaged by the fore said proclus wherof mention is made likewise in the Councell of Trull in the yeare 680. The fourth the liturgie of S. Mathew which the Aethiopians do vse and is called in their language Corbon that is Missah in Hebrew and in Latin Oblatio of this Liturgy or terme of Masse writeth Genebrard Gen. in finc primia saeculi Vbi sup The fift is that of S. Mark vsed long time in
therefore after a more then ordinary manner appropriate them selues to your iudgment An exposition of certaine difficult obscure words termes of the lawes of this Realme printed A 1602 Fol 25. Fol 26. For if I mistake not but do rightly informe my selfe from your booke of The termes of the law your procedings in case of Attainder are threefold as by Outlary where the partie doth not appeare to answere the law by Verdict which is the triall of honest Iurors vpon his appearing to answere the law and by Confession which is the parties owne acknowledgement of his offence Also in case of Title to temperall possessions there be certaine receaued grounds in your law of great force to demōstrate the right as faire ancient vnsuspected Euidence the Testimony of credible witnesses and euen Praescription it selfe where of no memory occurreth to the contrary In so much as by the statute of Limitation no man is inhabled to commence prosecute suite Fol. 140 for any landes whereof him selfe or his Ancestors haue not bene before seised within a certaine time in that behalfe limited The only Priority of possession receiuing also this fauour in your law that to the partie disseised of such his possession you afford speciall remedy by VVritt of Assise Fol 24. Fol. 47. Fol. 47. allowing him also the benefit of his Continuall Claime to preuent Descent vpō the other parties dying seised Moreouer where the letter of your Statute law appeareth to be in some cases doubtfull you are reported to hold that sense and vnderstanding thereof for most reasonable which is found most agreable with the knowne answerable Practise of ensewing times Besides all this there are established with you for the finall ending of all arising cōtrouersies High cours of Iudgment to giue definitiue sentence and the same so giuē not by the law it selfe but by your selues placed as Iudges to pronounce determine what is the law Against which sentence so once orderly giuen No VVritt of errour or Appeale lieth Fol. 82. whereby to support the partie so cōuicted in the farther humor of his vnsatisfied and endles contention Of all which I haue informed my self partly from your foresaid booke of the Termes of the law and some by conference with others So as I am to craue pardon if exceeding herein the boldnesse of my profession I haue mistaken or not dewly obserued the apte proprietie of wordes retaining yet I hope the substance of the matter And for as much as these your ciuill obseruations prescribed for the inquiry setting forth of right are in themselues no other then as liuely resemblances imitations of those maine grounds which facred Theologie affordeth to the demonstration of Truth I am now likewise to craue further leaue to entreate you of your serious retired view of your leasurable Iudicious and graue considerations of this our short Application of some principall parts thereof to the like answerable grounds and principles so plentifully abounding in proofe of our Catholike Religion But least I should be tedions to your honors attention I will but set downe one point for the which Catholikes are so often commanded to appeare before your honors to answere to the law are dailie deiected disgraced Impouerished The point is knowne to you all to witt for entertaining of Massing Priests SECTION II. A verdict consisting of twelue generall Councels al of them being within the first foure hundred od yeares after our Sauiour Christ FIrst therfore concerning your proceeding by Iurors if that may be esteemed to be a true Verdict which is so by such giuen you haue then here the same giuen in the fore said point which might be giuen in other points likewise of our Catholike Faith by the Ancient Fathers who being assembled in Generall Councells Synodes sworne vpon the perill of their soules haue in this other many speciall cases directly found for vs. to that effect that those of our Iury may be the lesse suspected of you we will bring them of the first 400. yeares after Christ the which Ages euen your owne Doctors being Iudges were freest from all corruption alteratiō of the true Religiō Faith deliuered by the Apostles D. Fulke in his Answere to a counterfaite Catholike pag. 36. saith The Religion of the Papistes came in preuailed the yeare of God Anno 607 in the which time saith he The Reuelation of Antichrist with the Church fled in to the wildernesse to witt in A o. 607. And Simō de Voyō one of your Protestāte Doctors Simō de Voyō in his epist to the Reader in his discourse vpon the Catalogue of Doctors in the Epistle to the Reader post medium affirmeth that Anno 605. VVhen Pope Boniface was enstalled in the Papall throne Powell pa. 105 then falshood gott the victory And Mr. Gabriel Powell in his Considerations of the Papists reasons saith I grant that from the yeare of Christ 605. The professant Companie of Poperie hath bene very visible and perspicuous Perkins 307. And Mr. Perkins in his exposition of the Creed affirmeth That during the space of 900. yeares the Popish heresie hath spread it selfe ouer the whole earth Whit. p. 35. And Mr. Whitaker de Antichristo contra Sanderum saith During all that time to witt of 600. yeares The Church was pure and flourishing and inuiolably taught defended the faith deliuered from the Apostles And the like acknowledgement is made by many other learned Protestants which were tedions to your honors In his booke of Institut set out in frēch printed at Geneua 1562. to sett downe in this our short Application Only we will conclude which Caluine your cheife man who albeit he doth not graunt the florishing estate of the Romane Church the full space of the first 600. yeares after Christ yet doth acknowledge that no chāge of Faith was made vntill the times of S. Augustine Epiphanius Optatus c. which was for 440. yeares after Christ These be his owne wordes in his booke of Institutions set forth in French It was athing saith he notorions without doubt that after the Apostles age vntil those times no change was made in doctrine neither at Rome nor at other citties Thus Caluine Therefore hauing freed our iury from all suspition euen our enemies being our Iudges Whitg in his defence p. 330. we wil place as Fore-man of our Iury that notable and famous Councell of Nice the which saith Mr. Whitgift a protestante writer is of al wise learned men reuerenced esteemed embraced next vnto the Scriptures themselues The 1. Coūcell of Nice can 3. This Councell was celebrated the yeare of Christ 325. at the which was present 318. Bishops who did decree that Priests that did say Masse offer sacrifice It is not let at liberty to marry because exception is taken at women but the mother etc should not keepe cōpanie with any womā
S. Clement Pope who was third Pope after S. Peter and liued about the yeare 102 who saith Ep. 3. thus in one of his Epistles Let noe Priest say masse in his Parish without the licence of his Bishop And by saying of Masse the Eucharist was giuen and receiued o◠the people as is witnessed by S. Dionyse S. Ignatius S. Marcellus who liued in the second Age as before hath beene shewed After S. Clement succeeded S. Anaclete Anacletus Ep. 1 in the yeare 03 who commaunded that masse should be celebrated only in holy places After him S Alexander who died for the Faith in the yeare 131. Baron in mart 3 May. he did confirme the Apostolike constitution of mingling wine with water in the sacrifice of the masse In decretis Sixti Papae After him was S. Sixtus Romanus in the yeare 142. who commaunded that the sacred vessels vsed at masse at other times should not be handled nor touched by any man but by the who were in holy Orders After him was S Felesphor◠who had binan anchorite in Greece he died in the yeare 154. he ordained that the masse should be celebrated in the night in Christmasse euen c. After him succeeded S. Pius an Italian who died in the yeare 167. in one of his Epistles to Iustus Bishop of Vienna he saith Tom. 1. Biblio SS Patrū we do celebrate the masse in the Churche of Euprepia c. After him or as some say before him succeeded S. Anicet who died in the yeare 175. he would that the Priest should beare a shauen crowne Anacletus Ep. ad Gallos his decrees are extant Tom. 1. Concil After him succeeded Soter and died 179. who commaunded that none should celebrate masse without one to help him And so successiuely one after another vntill S. Siluesters time who was Pope in the time of Constantine the great the first Christian Emperor who was Christened by the said S. Siluester These be the Bishops of Rome whom Mr. Ridley termeth Patriarkes who did maintaine pure doctrine All of them being before Constantine the first true Christian Emperor And as for that he saith that in the first Christian Emperors times the Gospell did florish it is most manifest that Cōstantine who was Emperor in the yeare of our Lord 306. did allow of Monkes through out Syria Palestina Bithynia c. Cent. cent 4. col 2441. did keepe in his company court Massing Priests with all prouision to that effect as Zozimus affirmeth he did attribut supremacie to the Bishop of Rome Zozim hist li. 1 cap. 8. Frig. in his palma ad Sereniss Reginā Aug. as affirmeth Frigiuellaus Gauius a Protestant Writer with other points of our Catholike doctrine in whose time the Churches doctrine was one and the same as it is at this day concerning Freewill iustification by workes Confession of sinnes to a Priest Inioined penance Absolution of such as had confessed giuen by imposition of handes Also with affirming penance to be the second table after Shipwrack vnwritten Traditions inuocation of Saints Purgatory Altars consecrated with the signe of the Crosse Chrisme the reall presence Transubstantation Cent. 4. sacrificing for the dead and many other points which the Centurists of Magdeburg call errors of that time Now seeing that Maister Ridley saith that the first Bishops of Rome the first Christian Emperors did set out Christs glory and did administer duely the Sacraments It followeth that in his opinion these points defended and taught by the Churche in those times are no lesse now pure true doctrine and that the Eucharist is duely administred by massing Priests Sect 6. MR. HOOKER in his praeface to his bookes of Eccl. Policy saith That wee are right sure of this that nature Scripture experience haue all taught the world to seek for the ending of contentions by submitting it self vnto some Iudiciall and definitiue sentence whervnto neither parties that contend may vnder any pretence refuse to stand Now seing all Generall Prouinciall Councells haue giuen their Iudiciall definitiue sentence concerning this point in fauor of vs Catholikes And on the other side seing neither Mr. Hooker nor any Protestant can alleadge any generall Councell or Prouinciall or any Synodicall Conuenticle before this last 100. yeares to the contrary It followeth according to Mr. Hooker that wee should allow of the Sacrifice of the Masse seing Councclls in their Iudiciall definitiue sentēces haue allowed of it And much more because he affirmeth most constantly in his bookes of Eccl. Pol. that the Church of Rome is to be reputed as a part and limme of the Church Lib. 5. pag. 188. and house of God But because I can not tell whether our aduersaries Will allow what their followes did write or teache in the dayes of Queene Elizabeth seing they defend as D. Doue a Protestant writer affirmeth perswas pag. 31. they may often change and doe at least at the change of euery Prince These be his own woordes VVhen the masse was first Put down King Henry had his English Liturgie that was iudged absolute without exception But when Edward came to the Crowne that was condemned and an other put in the place which Peeter Martyr and Bucer did approue as very consonant to Gods woord VVhen Queen Elisabeth beganne her raigne the former was iudged to be full of imperfections and a new was diuised and allowed by the consent of the Clergie But about the midle of her raigne we grew weary of that book and great meanes haue beene wrought to abandon that and establish another which although it was not obtayned yet we doe at the least at euery change of Prince change our book of common prayer we be so wanton that we know not what we would haue Thus Doctor Doue Therfore to giue our Aduersaries all aduantages you shall heare the reporte of those Protestant writers who haue written since the beginning of his Maiesties raigne in England and so much and so incharitably against vs Catholikes that for that cause one of their owne number Ormer pict Pap. in postscript adiudgeth many of their bookes to the fire and their Authors worthie of death MR. MIDLETON Papistomast pag. 137. 138. graunteth with S. Chrysost S. Aug. S. Epiphan That Sacrifice and Prayer for the dead was an Apostolicall Tradition D SVTCLIFFE against the three Conuers pag. 791. saith Christes true Church is a diligent and wary keeper of doctrines committed to her and changeth nothing at any time diminisheth nothing addeth nothing superflius looseth not her owne nor vsurpeth things belonging to others But seing D. SVTCLIFFE can not deny but the church of Rome was once Chrysts true church therfore it followeth according to D. Sutcliffe opinion that the church of Rome must needes haue diligently and warely kept the doctrine of such a maine and essentiall point of her cheife function as is the Sacrifice of the Masse nor changing nor adding any
Alexandria of this likewise writeth Genebrard Of these Liturgies writeth Coccius lib. de Euchar. art 1.4 likewise mention is made of them in the booke called Bibliotheca Patrum in the 6. Tom. of the edition 1589. But least we become tedious to your graue Attention we will bring onely the Testimonies of some holy Fathers who liued in the most flourishing estate of Christs Church who be most commended of our Aduersaries The first of or VVitnesses shal be S. Denis Areopagite disciple of S. Paul of whom there is mention made in the actes of the Apostles Act. 17 14. who liued in the yeare 90. of whom Sutcliffe the Protestant writer saith de presb cap. 13. pag. 91 Orm. in his picture of a Puritan pa. 1605. Eccl. hist cap. 3. Dionysius antiquitatis optimus sanè testis videtur enim esse antiquissimus This S. Denis then who as Mr Oliuier Ormerod a learned Protestant writeth liued in the Apostles times in his Ecclesiasticall Hierarchie setteth downe the most of the Ceremonies that the Catholike Church vseth in celebrating the Masse viz the prayers the burning of Frankincense about the Altar the singing of Psalmes parcells of scripture which be read the washing of handes the giuing of the Pax the Eleuation of the holy Hoste the Adoration of thesame the Comunion receauing of the SacrameÌ„t yea he affirmeth that no sooner the B. Sacrament is on the Altar but there be present troopes of Saints This ancient Father in all his books maketh so much for vs both in this all other pointes of our Catholike Faith and against our Aduersaries that Caluine Lib 1. ca 1 §. 4 Câ—nâ— 1. li. 2 c 10 col 637. the Century writers haue no other refuge but to call in question the bookes of S. Denis albeit most vniustly preferring the saying and false opinion of Erasmus Laurentius Valla both GrammariaÌ„s before the authority of an infinite number of ancient Doctors Origen Orig. hom 2. indiuers ante med Athanas in Scholiâ—s in opera â—ionysii Chrys epist ad CaroluÌ„ Caluum gric hom 34 Fulk in his confut of Purgat pag 353. Coup in his dict at the wo d Dionyâ—ius pag. 105. who liued in the yeare 230. in one of his Homilies alleadging a passage of S. Denis his Caelestiall Hierarchy termeth him Great S. Denise Areopagite S. Athanasius who liued in the yeare 319 that Great Diuine S. Chrysostome who liued in the yeare 390 that Caelestiall birde S. Gregor the Great who liued in the yeare 590. Calleth him ancient venerable Father And not only are his bookes acknowledged by the ancient Fathers but euen by our late Protestante writers as by Mr Fulk Hermanus D. Bridges Lord Bishop of Oxford who did thinke him to haue beene before S. Basils dayes who liued in the yeare 370. by Mr. Cooper late Bishop of winchester by Mr. Oliuier Ormrod in his picture of a puritane in proofe of the Crosse made in Baptisme And by the Archbishop of Canterb in his answere to an admonition And this concerning our first witnes The second of our VVitnesses is S. Ignatius Scholler vnto S. Iohn the Euangelist who liued in the yeare 100. writeth thus in his vndoubted Epistle ad Smyrnenses Ad Smyrnenses that the Bishop is as highe Priest in respecte of his Priesthood affirming further that in the Church nothing is greater then the Bishop who sacrificeth vnto God for the safety of the whole world because it is saith he not lawfull without a Bishop to offer immaculate Sacrifice Ibidem to celebrate the masse c. This saying of S. Ignatius is acknowledged not gainsaid by the late Bishop of Canterb Mr. Whitgift in his Def. pag. 408. For further proofe of this and like sayings of S. Ignatius see S. Hierom lib. de viris illustribus ibidem it is not lawfull without a Bishop to offer Sacrifice or to celebrate masse The third VVitnesse is S. Irenaeus Scoller to S. Policarpus who was Disciple to S. Iohn Euangelist and liued in the yeare 170 who some times was Bishop of Lyons in France Lib. 4. aduersus Haeres This Irenaeus affirmeth that besides the spirituall Priestly Order of all the Iust another peculiar Priesthood of the Apostles who are in respect therof to attend dailye vpon God the Altar Dialog cum Tryph. The fourth VVitnesse is Iustinus Mart. who liued in the yeare 130. he affirmeth that the sacrifice of the Eucharist is by the Institution of Iesus Christ that it is celebrated throughout all the world by the Christians Euseb li. 4 c. 17 Hier. in catalog and that by the Priests only his bookes and workes are reported by Eusebius and S. Hierom. Origen hom 21. in Num. The fift VVitnesse is Origen who liued the yeare 230. In his 21 homily on the booke of Numeri the which homilies he did write before his falling into error doth Iudge that it appertaineth only to theÌ„ that liue chast continually to offer sacrifice The sixt VVitnesse is S. Cyprian Epist 63 ad Caecil who liued in the yeare 240. in his Epistle ad Caecilium saith thus If Iesus Christ our Sauiour God be himself cheif Priest of his Father and the first who did offer vp himself as a sacrifice to God the Father commanded vs to doe the same in commemoration of him Truely it followeth that the Priest who imitates that which Christ did doe is in the place of Christ and doth offer vp to God the Father a true and full sacrifice whensoeuer he beginneth to offer according to that manner as was offered by Iesus Christ this S. Cyprian for the which wordes the Century writers do reproue and reiect him The seuenth VVitnesse is S. Basil Liturg. Eccles Cappad apud Cocc li. de Euch. who professed a monasticall life and liued in the yeare 370. He setteth downe the ceremonies forme of the sacrifice of the masse which were obserued within his diocesse he being then Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia The 8. VVitnesse is S Iohn Chrysostome Lib de Sacerd. who liued in the yeare 390. in his booke de Sacerdotio speaking of the consecration of the host in the sacrifice of the masse saith thus The wordes are pronouÌ„ced by the Priest and are consecrated by the grace Chrys orat coÌ„tra geÌ„tes qd vnus est Deus vertue of God The booke which he maketh of Priesthood is a sufficient proofe of his opinion in this and other points of our Catholike Religion in the which book he affirmeth that in Britanie there were Altaria Christo dedicata The 9 VVitnesse is Tertullian one of the Latine Churche who liued in the yeare 220. whose authoritie is reuerenced not only by the Ancient Fathers In his picture of a Purit pa 3 but likewise by our aduersaryes Ormerod a Protestant writer doth alledge Tertullian his opinioÌ„ of the signe of the crosse Baptisme against his Puritane Brethren This
Tertullian amongst the other traditions of the Catholike Churche Lib. de Coron milit cap. 3. reports of the saying of masse or oblation at the end of the yeare for the Soules departed The which sentence is acknowledged by Mr. Fulk to be of Tertullian And in his booke de cultu faeminarum In his confut of purg pag. 362 he saith that a woman should not goe abrode vnlesse it be to visiâ—t the sicke heare the sermon or assiste in the Churche at masse The Ninth VVitnesse is S. Ambrose who liued in the yeare 3â—0 and whome the Century-writers do reiect Lib 4 cap 4 col 295 for his to much writing in fauor of the sacrifice of the masse Catholike Priesthood Amongst other of his sayings he confessed of himself that tumult being risen in the assembly where he was Ambro. lib. 5 Epist 3 yet he was not forgetfull of his office but did beginne the masse The eleuenth of our VVitnesses is S. Augustine Scoller to S. Ambrose he died in the yeare 430. he is plentifull in this other points of Catholike doctrine euen in the Iudgment of our Aduersaryes Chemnitâ—us in his ExaÌ„ part 3. pag. 3. he named the word masse in one of his Sermons saying lett no man be absent from the masse on sonday And againe he named the word masse in another Sermon saying these words which shal be read at the masse and else where August serm 51 de tempore Ser. 91. de tem Ser. 337. Vniustly therefore do our aduersaryes obiect against vs saying that S. August did neuer name the word masse And within S. Austins time the 2. Councell of Carthage in the 3. chap and the Mileuitan Councell cap. 12. doth name the word masse And before S. Austin S. Ambrose who liued anno 390. in his 5. book of Epistles Epist 33 S. Damasus Pope who liued about the yeare 384. in his book of the liues of the Popes And S. Macharius who liued about anno 319. in his decret de consecrat named the word masse S. Fabianus Pope in one of his Decrees who liued about the yeare 242. S. Sother Pope Martyr who liued about the yeare 171. in one of his Decrees which are extant Tom. Concil S. Pius Pope Anno 147 in one of his Decrees S. Higinus Pope Martyr Anno 144. in his Decree as Ino. lib. 2. testifieth S. Alexander Pope Martyr Anno 121. Epist 1 ad omnes Orthodoxos which is to be seene in the Councell of Tribury cap. 19. S. Clement third Pope after S. Peter Epist 3. Anno 111. S. Ignatius the Apostles Scoller Epist ad Smyrnenses All which holy men did name the word Masse properly and in that same sense that the Catholikes at this day do vse Yet for all this forsooth our Aduersaryes would make the world belieue that the word Masse is a word newly inuented not found in the primitiue Churche But they deale with vs in this as in many other things which must proceed either of malice or of grosse ignorance The twelfe of our VVitnesses is S. Hierome who liued in the same time that S. Austin did Ao. 430. He is generally holden of our Aduersaries to be for the Catholike Religion in this Epist ad Heliod other points He did reuerence respect holy Priesthood very much saying God forbid I should speake amisse of them who succeding doe consecrate with their mouth the body Cyrillus Catech Cyrillus Hieros catech 12. Gregor Nâ—ssen orat in muliereÌ„ peccat Ep ph Haeres 73. blood of Iesus Christ To these VVitnesses wee might adde infinite more if it were not tedious to your honors As S. Cyrill of Alexandria contemporaneo to S. Hieron S Cyrillus Hierosolymitanus Anno 320. S. Gregory of Nyssen Epiphanius Athanasius Anno 319. Optatus Anno 350. lib. 6. aduersus Haeres Athan. quaest 34. Right honorable Reuerend Graue and Learned these be our VVitnesses who did direct our fore said Iury in their Verdict at whom our Aduersaries can take no exception iustly seing they were men indifferent and not angrie neither at our Aduersaries not at vs and who be much esteemed of by the more aduised and sober Protestants chemint exam Concil Trid. part 1 pag. 74. who to vse their owne words doubt not but that the primitiue Churche reâ—eaued from the Apostles and Apostolicall men not only the text of Scripture but also the right and natiue sense therof And that we are greatly confirmed Confessio Bohemi pag. 400 in the true sound sense of Scripture by testimonies of the ancient Fathers And that they are the true and best Masters of posteritie going before leading vs the way and as Mr. Bancroft late Bishop of Canterb saith Bancr survey pag. 379. for Mr Caluin and Mr. Beza I doe thinke of them as their writings deserue but yet I thinke better of the ancient Fathers I must confesse SECTION IIII. The Confession of twelue of the learnedest of the Aduersarie parties THIRDLY if the parties owne Confession be of force as doubtles in all reason it is no lesse then Conuincing your Wisdomes shall heare the grauest of your Aduersaryes confirme by their ouwne Confession this point of doctrine for vs. 1. Caluine our Aduersaries prime man speaking of Irenaeus Tertullian Origen August and others how highly they esteemed the Church of Rome Inst lib 4 cap 2. §. 2. in respect of the Succession of the Romane Bishops answereth giueth his like reason there of saying Considering it was a matter out of all doubt that from the beginning euen vntill that time viz till S. Austins time nothing was changed in doctrine the holy doctors tooke in argument that which was sufficient for the ouerthrowing of all new errors viz that they viz the heretikes oppugned the doctrin which euen from the very Apostles themselues had beene inuiolably and with one consent retained Againe in his booke of Institutions set forth in French he saith expresly Instit in French printed at Genaua anno 1561. that it was a thing notorious without doubt that after the Apostles age vntill those times viz S. August his time no change was made in doctrine neither at Rome nor at other cittyes Now seeing aluine affirmeth that without all doubt there was no change of doctrine in the Church of Rome from the beginning that is from the Apostles times vntill S. Aug. his time which was for 400. and odd yeares after Christ it must follow in Caluins opinion that the doctrine we haue heretofore alleaged by the testimony of our Iury viz the Councells and witnesses viz the Fathers they being all both Iury and witnesses within the said first 400. and od yeares is pure doctrine inuiolably with one consent retained from the very Apostles themselues 2. BEZA Scoller to Caluin Confess Gen ca. 7. Sect. 12. saith that Leo who was Pope Anno Domini 440. did clearly breath forth the arrogancie of the Antichristian
condemne reiect and make penall Catholike Priesthood and that faith so long continued not only in England by English Catholikes but likewise throughout all Christendome whervnto we Englishmen were conuerted by S. Greg. one of those Fathers by whom Mr. Iewell a famous Protestant in his publique Sermō at Paules Crosse desired to be tried which neuer the lesse the bouldest aduersary as I belieue dare not performe Neither did our now professed Cath. Faith take its beginning in S. Gregories time but reached vp euen to the Apostles times which appeareth also by conferring our foresaid confessed Religion taught vs by S. Greg. and S. August with that primitiue Faith whervnto the Brittains of VVales were conuerted in the Apostles times For whereas our learned aduersaries do affirme that our neighbours the Britains of VVales receaued the faith of Christ by the preaching of the Apostles and held that Faith at Austins comming so affirmeth Mr. Camden in his Britannia Pag. 40 Mr. Harrison in his description of Britannie volum 1. p. 23 Mr. Fulke his booke against Heskin Sanders Pag 561. c. by Godwin in his Cata og of Bishops pag. 1. Mr. Foxe in his Acts and Mon. pag. 463. saith The Britains after the receauing of the Faith neuer forsooke it for any manner of false preaching of others nor for torments c. Againe Mr. Midleton in his Papisto-mastix proueth by ancient Authors that the Gospell was taught preached there by Simon Zelotes Ioseph of Arimathaea S. Paul the Apostle More ouer Beda hist 2. ca. 2. Holmist vol. 1. li. 1. ca. 21. it is also recorded by the Protest writers that vpon conference betwixt S. Augustine the British Bishops then had at a place called in S. Bedes time Austin-izet of the which place maketh like mention Holinshead in his great Chronicle of the last edition The greatest difference then stood vpon betwene Austine and them were expresly and only mentioned to be certaine tolerable differences viz Their dissent from the vse of the Romane Church in their Ceremonies or ministring of Baptisme keeping of Easter Beda in his history reporteth how Austine said to the Britaines viz Li. 2. ca. 2. Si in tribus his obtemperare mihi vultis vt Pascha suo tempore celebretis vt ministerium baptizandi quo Deo renascimur iuxta morem Romanae Apostolicae Ecclesiae compleatis vt genti Angelorum vna nobiscum praedicetis verbum Domini caetera quae agitis quamuis moribus nostris cōtraria aequanimiter cuncta tolerabimus By which their so earnest dissenting about these only matters of smaller importance is most plainly signified their full agreement in all other substantiall and head points of Faith for the Brittaines who contradicted Austine so earnestly in these so few smaler points would neuer haue bine silent but much the rather haue with-stood him in the other so many incomparably much greater points of Faith had they in like sort disagreed from him therin which thing is also as yet more certainly euident aswell in that the Brittain Bishops then confessed that it was the right way of Iustice righteousnes which Austine taught as Bede doth testifie Bed hist li 2. ca. 2. Fulk in his conf of purg pa. 335. As also for that Austine did as Mr. Fulke affirmeth at the last obtaine the aide of the British Bishops to the conuersion of the Saxons The same affirmeth Holinshead heretofore alleadged So euidently therefore doth that Faith which S. Austine taught vs and which our aduersaries acknowledge for Popish demonstrate in generall to be consonante and agreable with that Primitiue Faith whereunto the Brittains of VVales were as is confessed conuerted in the Apostles times Which pointe is also made euident by like further obseruations of so many other remote nations conuerted in the Apostles times as namely of Graecia as appeareth by S. Pauls Epistles to sundry of that nation as to the Corinthians Ephesians Thessalonians of Armenia by S. Bartholomew of India by Saint Thomas which although they be in some things departed from the faith wherunto they were first conuerted yet by their remnant of Religion to this day preserued sufficiently appeereth which faith it was whether Catholicke or Protestante whereto they were at first cōuerted witnes hereof are the seuerall publike Liturgies of the Graecians Armenians c. the which trauailers affirme make so knowne certaine as impudencie it selfe may not deny it Andrew Theuet an Author of greate credite in his Cosmographie vniuersall Printed in French at Paris Anno 1575. Tom. 1. Fol. 137. affirmeth vpon the experience of his trauailes that he founde at Hierusalem in the holy Passion weeke more then 4000. Christians of seuerall Nations as Abissines Armenians Monouites Georgians of Persia Nestorians Iacobits Sirians Iauians Butirians Darians men of Quinsay most remote of all the Orientall India c. himselfe being sole among them with an Almaine of the Romane Church The which Nations saith he Chantent la Messe auec pareille opinion sur le Reall praesence du corps sang de nostre Seigneur cōme nous la tenons that is Do celebrate Masse holding the like opinion of the Reall presence of the body and bloud of our Lord as we of the Latine Church hould Nothwithstanding saith he that they do not acknowledge either Pope or Cardinall King or Emperor of ours but professe themselues to haue receaued their sacred misteries from the Apostles The like testimonie giues the Protestante writer Pag. 22 D. Philippus Nicholai in his comment de regno Christi of these remote Nations by which foresaid examples of so many remote Nations so farre distante each from other conuerted vndoubtedly in the Apostles times and agreeing so farre with vs and against our aduersaries in so many principall points of Faith is not obscurely signified that our now Catholike Religion is that Primitiue Faith which the Apostles themselues first planted in all Nations The Antiquitie and Prioritie of this our Possession of our professed Catholike doctrine thus shewed and handled but in generall is also made as yet much more probable or rather euident throughout each particular by that which our learned aduersaries themselues do acknowledge chardging the most ancient Fathers their opinions in these points as errours To go through euery particular would be ouer tedious But the Reader for better satisfactiō may read the Protestants Apologie Tract 1. Sect. 3. Subdi 1 where he shall finde all things at large set downe most cleerly and euidently handled Forbearing therefore all other points we will giue instance only in that pointe vndertaken chiefly in this our Application viz of Cath. Priesthood The Priesthood of our spirituall Pastors in this out Cath. Churche who as S. Aug. saith are now not improperly but properly called Priests in the Church De ciuit Dei li. 20 cap 10. to whome therefore the word Presbiter and Sacerdos are indifferently referred as likewise S. August there affirmeth
as Hospinianus in histor Sacram fol. 131. part altera Hospin Io. Regius Ioannes Regius considerat censurae pag. 123. Neither was this conference betweene the Deuill Luther spirituall only or a dreame but as Balduinus Balduinus a follower of Luther lib. de disput Luther cap. 4. pag. 83. saith a reall truth written by Luther saith he not hyperbolically but seriously and according to the truth of the history And if we looke to Luthers life after his Apostacie we shall find it answerable to his doctrine both tending to libertie it needeth not any other testimonie then that which the Protestants themselues acknowledge For say they Luther became so arrogant Ioac Camar de conâ—ugio Lutheri Conrad Regius de caena Dom. insolent and possessed with the sinne of Pride that God therefore did withdraw his true spiritt from him This we may manifestly gather out of his owne writings Tom. 2 Germ. Fol. 9. praefat lib. de abrog Miss where he acknowledged his conscience accusing him condemning him of singularity against the whole Christian world all times places persons and authorities These be his owne wordes how often hath my heart panted reprehended me obiecting against me what art thou only wise can it be credible that all others do erre haue erred so long time haue all generations so often euer bene deceaued What if thou dost erre bring so many into errour that shal be damned for euer art thou only he which hath the true pure word of God Hath no man in the world thesame but thou that which the Church of Christ hath hitherto defined and so many yeares obserued as good dost thou ouerthrow it as though it were euill so dost dissipate by thy doctrine both Ecclesiasticall ciuill common weales Thus his coÌ„science so long as he had any coÌ„demned him thus he repented his disobedience and said in praef in tom 1. Germ. Ientacul that he hoped the bookes which he had written would be burnt infect no more but when the bridle of Obedience was altogether broken his conscience extinguished and the plumes of pride sensualitie had mounted so high and carried him so farre he behaued himself in his apostacie Suet. as by the testimonie of Suetonius in vita Iul. Caes Iulius Caesar did in his temporall Rebellion against the Roman state who in the beginning doubted whether he should go forward or no Luther in colloq Mensal fol. 241. Tom 5. Germ. 121. Osiand cent 13. lib. 1. cap. 4. pag. 329 The ceÌ„t writers cent 13. cap. 5. Fulk in his retentiue pag 124. MelaÌ„ct loc coÌ„ de potest Ecclesiast Whitak cap. 18. Osiand Epist cent 16. pag. 86. Conrad in Theol Caluinist in proaem but when he had cast of shame he brake out into this speech Iacta est alea my chance is throwne So Luther wheÌ„ shipwracke was made of shamefastnes vttered his vnreasonable resolution of obstinate persisting in these termes Because saith he I haue entred into this cause now I must looke vnto it of necessity say it is iust If you aske a reason Doctor Martin Luther will haue it so sic volo sic iubeo sit pro ratione voluntas And thus much briefly of Sathans labouring by the ministry of Luther to impugne the Masse and neuer knowne to haue bene in any age before impugned otherwise then by the Albigenses Apostolici Almericus VVickliffs and such other as in regard of their other opinions were coÌ„fessedly euen in the Iudgment of our very aduersaries all of them noted knowne heretikes whose opinions in this other particulars were priuate by the said parties afterwards recanted called backe or else died with them And as for Carolostadius Zuinglius coÌ„temporanean to Luther whome Protestants name brethren their proceedings to impugne the Masse was not different from that of Luthers viz by illusions of Sathan as Protestants themselues do with dislike report of them Luther in loc com class 5 pag 47. speaking of Carolostadius calleth him a man giuen ouer into a reprobate sense and of Zuinglius he saith he condemned auoyded him with all his hart as despayring of his saluation as Hospinianus witnesseth in histor Sacram part Whitak contra camp rat 8. alt pag. 187. And the same they thinke of Luther So well agree the Fathers the Brethren as Protestants call them SECTION XII THE CONCLVSION PARDON me therefore Right honorable Reuerend learned if I be so bould now to appeale to your VVisedomes graue and mature Iudgement Vt sup whether Luthers doctrine concerning the Masse which had its growth in this age by apparitions from the Deuill as him self his dearest Schollers do accordingly confesse be of greater credit authority then that doctrine Religion whose vndoubted proofes are answerable correspondent to the like receiued principles groundes of your owne lawes then that ReligioÌ„ which remaineth in it self beautified with manifold confessed ornaments from ancient and memorable testimonies of your owne nation of all Christian nations of all precedent times then that Religion whereto the English nation was in the Apostles times confessedly first conuerted Then that Religion which hath founded your ancient municipall lawes and courts of iudgement erected your Churches Bishops-seas Religious houses Colledges Vniuersities and many other knowne monuments of pietie Then that Religion to which so many Kings Kingdomes of Gentils haue bene conuerted according to the sundry plaine praedictions of the Prophets had in that behalfe of Christs true Church which said praedictions otherwise then in by this Religion are yet hitherto coÌ„fessedly left vnperformed Then that Religion whose Priesthood and sacrifice was foretould by the Prophetes and acknowledged by the Apostles Then that Religion which is answerable to the doctrine of those Religious Iewes who liued before Christ Then that Religion which euen then long since was vniuersally professed in the Christian world Then that Religion in which was then also confirmed to vs from heauen with testimony of vndoubted miracles Then that Religion Faith approued of by the consent of so many Generall Nationall and Prouinciall Councels by the Iudgment of so many holy learned ancient Fathers practise of all times and ages and euen by the confession of our aduersaries Then that Religion against which all Sects heresies whatsoeuer howsoeuer deuided otherwise amoÌ„gst themselues do yet generally conspire Then that Religion to which our aduersaries afford to the members Professours therof the hopefull promises of saluation Then that Religion which only is ratified by all authoritie all Scriptures Traditions Prophetes Sibills Rabbins before Christ by the Apostles Euangelists all holy learned Fathers Historians Antiquaries and Monuments all Sinods Councels lawes Parliaments Canons decrees of Popes Emperors Kings Rulers all Martyrs Confessors and holy Witnesses by all Friends Enemies euen Mahometans Iewes Pagans infidells all former Heretikes Schismatikes and these Protestants themselues when they were most probable to speake truth and all Testimonies that can be deuised not only in this world but of God of Angells and glorified soules whose euidence cannot be vntrue of deuills and damned soules in hell condemned for their contempt or negligence thereof of soules in Purgatorie and whatsoeuer can be cited for witnesse in such cases as is most euident in this brief treatise In respect whereof your knowne Wisedomes in other matters cannot be wanting or transported herein with generall preiudice of our cause but obseruing your owne principles and abandoning all preiudice of opinion try the spirits if they be of God and proue all things houlding that which is good as S. Iohn saith in his 4. Chapt. To the reading therefore carefull examinatioÌ„ of this our Application do we humbly request you and that by the tender care had of your countrey by the deare respect of your saluation by your Christian zeale vnto true Religion by whatsoeuer else is sacred and holy Your poore Countryman M.E. A TABLE OF THE SEVERALL points handled in this treatise diuided in to 12 Sections as followeth The first Section THe lawe tearmes in generall perused in this Applicacation pag. 1. Sect. 2. A verdict consisting of twelue generall Councells all of them being within the first 400. odde yeares after our Sauiour Christ pag. 5. Sect. 3. The testimony of twelue lawfull credible witnesses pag. 14. Sect. 4. The Confession of twelue of the leardenest of the aduersary party pag. 25. Sect. 5. Of Priority of Possession pag. 41. Sect. 6. Of Prescription pag. 56. Sect. 7. Of Continuall Claime pag. 61. Sect. 8. Of the doubtfulnesse of the statute law pag. 69. Sect. 9. Of high courtes of Iudgment pag. 73. Sect. 10. Other Proofes pag 80. Sect. 11. A discouery of the contrary doctrine pag. 87. Sect. 12. The Conclusion pag. 92. FINIS