the Catholike Romaine Church hath this ordinary succession confirmed with miracles it partly appeareth by that is allready sayd when as then the very Iewes from Aaron to Christ could shewe their lawfull succession of Bishoppes euen to Christ the true law-giuer that state of olde being but a very figure of ours and whereas by the Apostles doctrine none ought to take vpō them the office of bishops no neither king nor prince much lesse to make bishops but hee only that therto is by ordinary vocatiō called as Aaron was by God annoynted inuested by Moises who first himselfe by extarordinary vocation or miracle vvas chosen and called by God and whereas by very drift of reason the Church cannot visibly continew as Christ promised it should doe without pastors and heades to guide it and succeede one another in the same The Catholike Roman Churh only therfore and no other being that which can shew this ordinary and lawfull succession of Bishops in the Apostolike Sea of Saint Peter whose faith in them Christ promised should neuer faile must of necessity be the true Church of Christ and other flockes and sortes of heretikes as Protestants Puritanes who soeuer must needs be bragge they neuer so much of christ and the Gospel the very Sinagogue of Satan Antichrist For the Protestantes and other Heretikes of our time that would be accounted gospellers of christ to haue with them ōly the true Church besides the new vpstarts bee very blasphemous in so saying as going about in effect to proue vntruth in christ as though he failed in his promis who saied his church shold neuer decay besids this I say they be very obsurd ridiculous foolish in their opiniō for example would you not thinke him a folish painter and very vnskilful in his art that hired by some noble gentleman to draw his picture after he had drawn the head would leaue out body legs armes sett only the feet where the necke should stand to his head Spectatum admissi risum teneatis Euerye one thinke you that looked theron would they not laughe him to scorne yes truly Like vnto this foolish painter be the gaye deceitfull painted heretikes of our time they brag Yea heretikes I mean be farre beneth the feete as for want of succession being no members of Christs misticall body the church a◠a◠of the lord christ the head of the church they say they teach the doctrine the Apostles did forsooth that they be al one with those B. Fathers of the Primitiue church one body in christ his church but enquire of thē by what sinewes and ioynts they be tied to the Apostles primitiue church of what lawful Bishops by succession they haue receiued their faith they can shew you none For 1500. yeares together they brag of the head yet be in steed of the feet wher is the body You see it is wanting wherefore you see for want of succession they haue no true possession in Godes house Wherfore those that will come into his kingdome must flie their company Fugite de medio Babilonis flie out of Babilon the corps of sin and Satan and her confusion hereticall congregations that you be not inuolued in her ruine and perpetuall destruction Chap. VI. Of some other signes and tokens of the true catholike church c. how without it none can be saued BY these foure notes then of vniuersality antiquity consent and lawful succession if you marke them well you may euer know the true Church from all other false sects and conuenticles of infidells and miscreant heretikes because they be proper to no other church but only the Catholike Church But besides these there be many other notes of the true Church that I cannot stand to reckon For what faith sauing only the catholike Romane faith hath bene in euery age when it hath beene planted in any Countrie first confirmed with so many miracles as in raising the dead giuing sight to the blind making the lame to walke and the dumb to speake but our Church and Catholike faith So that our church only I say is it and no other that hath had so many blessed and learned fathers and Doctors of all ages from Christs time to this day as appeareth by so many learned treatises and boks yea whole volums of theirs writtē in defence of our faith and religion As to begin with S. Dionise S. Paules scholler he writeth most learnedly of the Hierarchies of Angells of their aide succour we receaue by them of holie rites and ceremonies vsed euen at Masse this daye contrarie to the heretikes of this time yea we haue the very Liturgies that is the formes and orders of sacrifices as much to say of saying Masse which the Apostles namelye Saint Iames vsed in their dayes as they were taught by Christ at his last supper what shall I say of Policarp holy Ignatius in or nere the Apostles time the one scholler to S. Iohn view their writings you shal find the catholike faith confirmed how oft deuoutly do S. Athanasius S. Gregory Nazianzene S. Basil to praye our Lady the mother of God to assist and helpe them with her prayers S. Chrisostome how reuerentlye doth he speake of the most holy blessed Sacrament of the Aulter no lesse doth Saint Ambrose most plainly writing vvhole bookes of the same In so much that learned Saint Hierome is ours S. Augustine is ours S. Gregory the Pope S. Bede S. Anselme S. Bernard and as many as euer were writers or holye doctors in Gods Church bee most euident for vs hee that will but reade their bookes and beleeue them needeth no more nor new writers for confirmation of his faith If I would lye yet their bookes beyng extant to be sould almost in euerye stationers or booke-binders shoope in London can testifie the truth If thou desire thy saluation good brother perhappes discredite my words yet take but the pains to peruse the books of those Blessed fathers by me named thou shalt find my wordes true These Fathers many moe to long for me to reck on were most vertuous most wise most graue most learned of the greatest authority amongst al sorts of the best mē in their daies since so studious of holy Scriptures that they consumed therin nightes and dayes yea their whole liues and withal most skilfull in all other liberal sciences They would not attempt as heretikes do now a daies new come from the grammer schooles thinking thēselus great men when they can speake a little latine greeke yea some of them perhappes scarce good grammer schollers to take vpon them prophanely to handle the sacred booke of God and expounde rashly the holy scriptures that booke I say sealed with seauen seales open to none but to the humble in harte and to such as vse ordinary wayes and meanes as much fasting continual praier adioyned with good life especially humility lowlines of spirit a virtue
it but that it condemneth flatly their damned heresies theÌ„ they put out of Gods word holy Scripture whole bookes as namely this booke of the Machabees whereout I tooke the latter authority which booke as certainly is Gods word as S. Iohns gospell For who kept for me vndefiled from others writings S. Iohns gospell or how do I know it to be the worde of God but that our holy mother the catholike Church hath kept it for me and teacheth me that it is Gods word which church telleth me as certainly that these books of Scripture that so plainly make for prayer for the dead be also the word of God If therefore I beleeue the holy Church in one why should I not aswell beleeue her in the other as therfore I am certain by no other meanes but by the Churches authority that S. Iohns Gospell is true and Gods worde so by the same meanes I knowe most certainly euery Christian is bound to beleeue this book of the Machabees other the like that heretiks dâ—ny to be the word of God Thus you see then we haue the plaine worde of God that it is a good and healthfull thought to pray for the dead yea our Sauiour himself teacheth there is a place a man shall not come out of it till hee haue paid the last Math. 5. 27. 12. 32. farthing after which once paid a man may come out but in hell a man shall neuer haue release wherefore our Sauiour speaketh this of Purgatory The same is taughâ— by S. Pauls doctrine also where 1. Cor. 3. 13. he compareth pure works vnperfect works the one to golde and siluer the other to wood haye stuble and sayeth that the fire shall trye of what qualitye euerye mannes worke is The like I could proue by the same Apostle and others the Apostles in other their writinges in holye Scripture but I make hast neither can I stand to alleadge authorities of holy Doctors for this mater it is needlesse their works be full S. Augustine as it is most plaine in his books of Confessions prayed and desired others to pray for Monica his mother departed yea he wrote a whole booke of prayer and care to be had for the dead if we consider what holy men did of olde to avoide this cleansing fire of Purgatory in the next life it is strange Historia AngloruÌ„ and almost incredible Saint Bede maketh mention of one that beeing in a traunce or extasie paste this life sawe some glimce of the ioyes of the blessed and of the paines of those in Purgatory by Gods sufferance returning backe to his body he euer after tooke such penance that it seemeth intollerable somtime standing in colde nights in freesing water euen to the chin his friends would aske him why hee so greatly punished himself he would answere no otherwise but meekely say I haue seene or felte more paynes or colde and suffered harder thinges meaning no doubt of the paines in Purgatory in the next life This same holye Doctor maketh mention likewise of a Religious Priest saying daily Masse for his brother that he thought dead but in deed bound prisoner being taken in warres howe euery day at the holy oblation at Masse his brothers chains burst asoÌ„der Many such strange miraculous visions reuelations it pleased God to shew of olde and later time also manifestly declaring Purgatory That which helpeth them there is chiefly the holy sacrifice of the Masse because that B. Sacrifice is of most vertue most holy and of it selfe pleaseth God also fasting praier almesdeedes pilgrimage and the like godly workes deuoutly performed be healthful for the faithful departed so likwise be pardons of Pope Bishops rightly applied auailable for the same which pardons that we may auoide those paines in the next life it is very good meete and expedient we seeke for in this life not so to get pardons that we should be loyterers our selues do nothing for so pardons little auaile For they profitte not but to those that be in state of grace and well disposed to receaue them Chap. XLV Of Pardons and what they are whereof they come in what sort they be auaileable both for the liuing the dead NOwe what these Pardons bee that heretickes so slaunder you shall better vnderstand First our sinne after that by the Sacrament of Penance as I haue said before it bee forgiuen yet some satisfaction and penance remayneth therefore which if it bee not done in this life it must be done in the next because God as he is mercifull so is he just and will haue vs do something of our selues insomuch that for some one deadly sinne of auncient time nere vnto the Apostles time were 7. yeares of penance enjoyned which if a man in this time should doe for euery deadlie sinne his life would not endure a fewe persons excepted whome God preserueth from those greater sinnes verie rare to bee founde vpon earth These Pardon 's then of the Pope bee not properly forgiuenesse of sinnes but of the paine due vnto sinnes The reason is because the Church that hath authority from God justly to inflict satisfaction penance for sinne the same Church likewise hath power giuen her to release such paines and satisfaction that bee of Gods iustice laide on vs for sinnes and the Church that in the Sacrament of Penance by her Priests hath the authority from Christ to forgiue sinnes the same Church likewise by God hath authority giuen her by meanes of Pardons and fuffrage to release the paine due vnto sinne Now the Pope being head of the Church is chiefe dispensator and steward of these PardoÌ„s they be properly called the treasure of the Church that is specially graunted out of the merits of Christs PassioÌ„ his holy Saints For this is to bee vnderstoode in euery good worke that there be 2 thinges the one is merit and rewarde that properly appertaineth to the doer procuring him greater glory another thing in this worke is satisfactory penance or paine due vnto sinne which sinne first our Sauiour Christ was voide of without all sinne of his owne vertue and so was his B. Mother by his special grace euer preserued from all sinne and many of the Virgins Martyrs and great friends of God did more penâ—nce a great deale then euer their sinnes deserued herevpon the holy Apostle saide Adimpleâ— ea quae desunt passiâ—num Christi I fulfill Col. 1 24. saith he those thinges which be wanting of the passions of CHRIST for his body which is the Church Lo S. Paul did fulfill or satisfie those thinges that were wanting of the passions of Christ not for the redemption of the worlde for Christ therein needed no helpe-fellowes for his Passion had bene enough for many worldes but that which hee fulfilled of the passions of Christ were satisfactions paines or penance which euery one for himselfe that he may suffer with Christ and so bee pertakers of the
affirmeth that all things our Sauiour did be not written insomuch that if they were he supposeth the world would not be able to containe the bookes but what if we had neuer had Scripture left vs should we not haue beleeued the mouth tradition of the Church who was beleeued and taught her children to beleeue and followe her before any Scriptures were written whereof wee want as appeareth some part of that which the Prophets and Apostles writ and left vs and those parts we haue as they be most speciall rules testimonies directions stayes for the Church so we beleeue keepe them with all reuerence as deliuered vs by the Church For infallible truth whose authority chiefly moueth vs so to do Now these traditions are nothing but godly precepts orders vses rites ceremonies and infallible truthes of Christ God his Saints and Sacraments due administratioÌ„ of the same which we receaue by word of mouth without writing of our forefathers as they did of theirs froÌ„ one generation to another from Christ his Apostles time HereupoÌ„ S. Austen giueth this notable rule that when any thing is generally receiued of the whole Church the first beginner or author whereof caÌ„not be found out or is vnknowne acknowledge that for certaine for an apostolike tradition we are to beleeue it as certainly to be true as though it were written in the Scripture For the church was and traditions were as I said before the Scriptures was Nay saith an holy Doctor and blessed Saint what if the Scripture had neuer beene should we therfore not haue beleeued the Churches traditions Nay saith S. Augustine I woulde not beleeue the Canonical Scripture or gospell but that the Churches authority mooueth mee thereunto Se here of what authority the Church is vnto whome the word written is but a rule and stay as it were When S. Paul had taught the Corynthians 1. Cor. 11. â—4 the truth of the blessed Sacrament of the Altar forewarned them of some abuses amongst them about the same he tolde them that at his comming hee woulde dispose and set in order other things about administration of the same which what he did therein it is not written yet wee are to thinke hee vvas as good as his promise And therefore many things vsed at Masse this day as the holy canon and other ceremonies we no doubt haue theÌ„ by the institution of Christ and Apostolical traditioÌ„ For though the Church according to diuersity of times what she thinketh most fit to edefie the people may alter especially some externall rites and ceremonies or put to as she thinketh best yet there be certaine thinges she neuer doth nor will alter as Christs wordes therein and the traditions of the Apostles wherefore I am bound to beleeue the Church as vvell when shee saieth of tradition this is the worde or deede of Christ or the Apostles as when shee telleth me of the Scripture this is GODS word which Scripture we reuereÌ„ce more then any people in the world as I declared before but not the Scripture but the false vnderstanding is to be blamed againe though the Scripture be profitable to instruct teach and the like yet many other thinges that be not written be expedient necessary to be knowne as the word Trinity is not written in Scripture yet necessary to be knowne and beleeued where S. Iohn saieth in the Apocalips that no man shall adde or put to that booke or draw from it he meaneth that no man ought to corrupt his writing in that booke or anye other bookes of the Scriptures nor pull out any bookes but Heretickes as ProtestaÌ„ts and the like not only corrupt the text of Scripture both by false translation and false vnderstaÌ„ding them as of late hath bene proued to their shame if they had any but also mangle pull out a number of bookes of Holy Scripture that make against them as I declared before wherefore vppon them and such as they be that so adde and pull out of holy Scripture must needes lye that heauy curse God by S. Iohn threatneth against such euill men deprauers sacriligeous robbers and defacers of the Scriptures and GODS word Chap. LXVII Of God that he is one in substance and three in persons and of the horrible blasphemy of heretickes Athistes against his diuine Maiestie BVt some other hereticks of this time haue neither lest Christ nor God the blessed Trinity vntouched One heretick blasphemeth and compareth the blessed Trinity our most mighty and mercifull Lord God one in nature and substance but three in persons which S. Iohn calleth the father the word the Pater ver bum Spiritus Sanctus holy Ghost These three saieth he be one that is as I saied three persons and one God of one substance power and eternity these diuine persons I say that horrible and most monstrous heretick compareth to Cerberus the dogge of hell with three heads oh blasphemy whie doth not the earth open Oh mercifull Lord God long patient Other like men there be that worse then beasts desier to dispute whether there be a God or no a thing that very heathen men hauing vse of reason neuer scarsely doubted of For I neuer read or heard of any nation for the most part so barbarous but it either worshipped a true God or a false God but see how sinne heresie hath blinded mens harts O if Atheists would but lift vp their eyes to heauen and behold the heauens that all Philosophers and Astronimers know by reason neuer cease mouing and how one plannett or orbe hath superiority or domination ouer another and how the lowest and al the rest be in continuall circuite moued by force and vertue of the highest that primum mobile if senseles men I say would but only consider this common plaine knowne naturall reason they in the end might finde some first chiefe mouer aboue the rest so when mans minde is so high it can attaine or reach no further that incomprehensible thing so farre aboue the reach of mans reason is God summum perenne bonum that most high chiefe essentiall and endles goodnes the beginning of all thinges yet of himself without beginning orend that containeth all thinges and whome nothing not heauen and earth can containe or holde and yet whole and perfect God in all and euery part of heauen and earth whose mighty power reacheth to the vttermost coastes of that bottomles lake but alas what neede I say this to Christians and yet there be that goe vnder that name in our country too that call these matters in question with no lesse vanity and leuity would GOD with no more blasphemy then to talke of Robin Hood these be such whereof the Prophet speaketh dixit insipiens in corde suo c. the foolish man said in his hart there is no God Chap. LXVIII Of hell and of the iust punishments therein for sinne without release for euermore AND truly a number of
chiefe Monarch in most trayterous and rebellious sort by pride and goeth about to shake and pull downe the soundation of his common weale his Church in steed of true faith where of it standeth peruerting the vnderstanding the eye of the soule that is by false doctrine whereof the tower of Babilon the very Sinagogue of Sathan is builded So that the Church euer carefully conserueth true faith in euery point cleare as the apple of the eie the sight whereof as it caÌ„not tollerate the least moath to cleaue to it so cannot the Church of God admit the least heresie or ioyne himselfe in society with the least sect of heretikes or schismatikes in the world no more then a generous minded most royall Princes can admitte in her kingdome some newe vnworthye vpstart that seeketh to bee her equall or superiour or the jealous husband can permitte the adulterer he suspecteth with his wife to lie in bed by her side no no coangâ—státum est stratum nec pallium breue vtrumque operire potest neither is there any agreement in the least thinges betwixt light and darknesse betwixt GOD and the Diuell betwixt his true CATHOLIKE CHVRCH and that false Babilonicall strumpet heresie Hereupon it commeth that most blessed holy diuine men euer so detested heresie and the least society or affiance to the same Saint Iohn woulde not come in the bath where the heretickes had beene An other holy man though most innocent coulde tollerate himselfe to bee accounted a whore-master an vncleane person and the like but when one called him an heretike he could beare no longer So Saint Basil talking with the Emperour of matters of religion the Cooke comming in saucely and telling the holy man his opinion that it was but a smal matter to yeeld to his Master the Emperor in a word or two and needed not to stand so precisely in diuine matters which seemed indifferent or of no great moment yea sir Cooke quoth S. Basil it is your part to tend to your Pottage and not to boyle or choppe vp diuine matters then with great grauity turning to the Emperor said that those that were conuersant in diuine matters with conscience would rather suffer death then suffer one jot of holy Scripture much lesse an article of faith to be altered or corrupted What thinke you now if such a one as M. Buny or a lesse heretike perhaps as some Arrian heretike should haue come in denyed with protestants not jors nor words but whole bookes of Scripture not one article but almost al the Sacraments with many articles of the Catholike faith that such as bee the chiefe substance of the same and yet for all that vvith such vncleane fingers seeking to make a Pacification betwixt them and Saint Basil with the Catholikes and shoulde say we beleeue all one God and so are of one Church with you let vs not passe of this article or that this place of Scripture and the other but vvithout more adoe account vs as wee are Catholikes with you what may wee thinke this graue diuine Basil woulde haue answered to such a motion how woulde he haue shaken vppe such a nullifidiaâ— Minister of the Diuell how vvoulde he haue drawne out that weapon so terrible to the vvicked and more percing then the two edged sworde and tolde him flatly vvith his Master CHRIST â—owe in that case nâ—â—â—â—â—â—â—ittâ—re pacâ—m sed gladium and may not wee say to such Neâ—ters as Bunny and his fellowes be vvhich be the worst kinde of heretickes in the vvorlde vvhich beâ— neither hotte nor colde make a hodge podge of altogither Maister Buny you that thus vnskilfully behaue your selfe in diuine matters and yet not altogither vnlearned in compositions better it vvill become you to make some compoundes of Apothicarie stuffe or if that bee too difficult or painefull for you some meash of a potte of good Ale and diuers sundrie spices as you sitte in your chaire by the fire side then thus without all skill learning or reason in diuinity to make a conjunction of two thinges that bee as farre as heauen and hell asunder as heretickes of our time especially bee from the Church of God Nay the hereticall and schismaticall Greekes and other old sects in the east and by north which be far neerer in faith to Catholiks then Protestants be haue many of them many hundred yeares agoe by the just consent of Christendome bin quite cut off from the true Church of God yea schismatiks heere in England that in all articles beleeue as the Catholik Church doth yet in doing contrary to their faith Ipso facto they cut themselues off from the Church of Christ which can admitt none nor acknowledge iustly for hers but such as keepe vnity of faith both in thougt and action such as are not ashamed to coÌ„fesse the truth before men such as beleeue in hart for iustice and confesse in mouth to saluation I Petrâ—â— Aboto heard once of a learned diuine who earnestly disputing in schooles of the authority of the holy Scriptures one merrily though vnfitly in that place and matter brought in the example of Tobies dogge that wagged his tayle so to infirme the authority of the whole books as that he was not bound to beleeue that what said the deuine dost thon make a iest of it the verity whereof I am ready to defend with my bloud which was right worthely spoken for though some places of holy Scripture be more mistle all then other and conâ—aine not all profound maâ—er alike Yet some places for faith and other for mortall life another for mistery another auowching some circumstance apperreyning to the verity of some history as this for example of Tobyas dogge in their degree bee all true alike which bookes of holy Scriptures euery sentence coÌ„teyned therein being proposed to vs by the Church to be beleeued to be true a good Christian ought rather to suffer death then deny one sentence thereof to be true for so discrediting the Church and Scriptures in one point he might make the rest vncertaine and so doubt in all But heretiks that deny the whole booke of Toby Hester Iudith the Canticles the Prouerbs Ecclesiasticus the two books of Machabies Barâ—ch yea Or if they call not in question these whole bookes yett some notable sentences chapters of the same some call in question whether Marke Mathew and Luke be true Gospels and whether the Apocalipsis be a true booke of Scripture some flatly denying Saint Iames Epistle as Luther their chiefe Apostle and corrupt the rest of holy Scripturs shall these men be written in the booke of life that lay such violent hands of Gods booke shall we admitt such rebellious traitours in the host of Gods Church that thus first robbing her of her armour whereby shee may defend her selfe indeuour quite to subuert her scatter and disperse her a sunder these Protestants new Masters and teachers 6. Sixtly If they were of God who is
no difference betweene the Catholicke Seruice and their hereticall ministerly prating prayers betweene the olde religion and the newe the olde seruice and the newe as they tearme it but if you marke well which I haue said you may see there is as much difference as betweene heauen and hel truth and falshood For the heretickes either deny or with their foule handes defile almost euery article of the christian faith and religion and yet forsooth they bragge Oh nowe you haue the light in that forsooth they haue the Bible and yet dismembred and very much corrupted translated into the english tongue and that they haue the Lords prayer seruice in the english tongue O haue you so but I will proue by your light as you tearme it you bring in all darknesse and in making a shewe of the truth you be very imposters or juglers Haue you not heard of some A Similitude jugling companion that could vvith his familiar Diuell cast such a mist in some Parlour before mens eyes that ships there as in the Sea should seeme to be sayling men rowing the Sunne glistering vpon the waues and yet neither Sea ship man nor Sunne in deed but only by knauery their sences deluded But a worse jugling of heretickes is this in deede by how much the worthinesse of mans soule exceedeth the body For juglers deceaue and blinde the eyes of the body but these imposters heretickes blinde and deceaue the eyes of mans soule and true vnderstanding whereby they be depriued froÌ„ the sight of God light of grace and saluation For whereas the holy Catholike Church instructed and taught by her Master and her Pastor S. Peter doth acknowledge 2. Pet. 3. 16. as he saith that there bee some thinges in holy Scripture heard to be vnderstood which the vnlearned and vnstable doe depraue as the rest of the Scriptures to their owne damnation therefore nowe she as a tender Mother ouer her children knowing hard meat not fit for all but that some as infants are to be fed as it were with milke and other such light meats more easie to be digested knowing also that too much light dazeleth mans eye but a competent light is comfortable therfore she I say as a prudent Mother letteth her childreÌ„ see no more light of the Scriptures then their weak sences vnaccustomed to such high misteries can well coÌ„ceaue or beare nor giueth their soules no harder places to feeâ—e vpon then their infirme conceipts and â—â—omaâ—kes be well able to digest as the holy Apostle did when he said As to 1. Cor. 3. 2. little ones in Christ I gaue you milke not strong meat eueÌ„ so the holy Church guided euer by the wisdome of God seing the infirmity of her children knowing the Scriptures to be good yet not fit for euery mans reach giueth to euery one thereof in measure according to their capacities Wherefore shee most commonly hath reserued and kept it vncorrupt from other writings in the three most auncient and sacred tongues as in the Hebrew Greeke and Latin appointing learned men alwaies to instruct the simple out of that learned booke with such histories holy lessons as might be most fit to edefie and helpe them esteeming it sufficient for them to know there euer was is and shall bee one God in Trinity that made and woulde saue them that kept his lawe and Commandements and that Christ the sonne of God was borne of a Virgin dyed on the Crosse rose againe and that they receaue his very body in the B. Sacrament for the health and food of their soules So the Church thought it sufficient for ignorant men to know and beleeue the articles of the Creede to know they were bound to keep the Commandements of God vnder paine of deadly sinne and damnation to confesse and bee sorry when they fell with full purpose of amendment to say their Pater noster Aue and Creede and to leaue other high misteries to learned Diuines But nowe these newe iuglers set the Scriptures to be read heard and iudged vpon of young olde learned and vnlearned of all sorts and so they say they haue brought in the lighte but appose the ignorante when they haue read and heard them what they then conceaue of such and such parables of the Gospell such places of holy Scripture you shall finde them so variabâ—e among them-selues to haue such foolish phantasticall and fleshly yea childish conceits thereof that whereas they bragge of the light alas simple soules you shall finde nothing in their mindes but ignorance errour and darknesse they thinke they see a ship and it is but a phantasticall shape they enter in deed into a whole Sea of the depth of Godes inscrutable misteries but alas they know not how to rowe therein and so be drowned and ouerwhelmed with the floodes thereof they thinke they see men in steed of trees they imagine they see the light of the sunne and they imbrace darknes Heereof commeth such innumerable opinions such proud and blind arrogancy such monstrous heresies such horrible sinnes vices for that euery simple soole would bee a tamperer with Gods booke which they vnderstand not but by mistaking of the text goe about to defend what they list yea what humor they bee most giueÌ„ to Vppon these many moe weighty considerations the holy Church keepeth the scriptures in the latin toÌ„gue for the most part so likewise vppon the like consideratioÌ„s that euery saucy presumptuous fellow should not deride the misteries he vnderstandéth not if they were spokeÌ„ in the playn vulgar english termes therfore the church vseth at masse in her prayers publike seruice the latin toÌ„gue that I say the holy Sacraments should not grow into coÌ„tempt being made coÌ„mon to euery base rogne to descaÌ„t vpoÌ„ thinking that it is sufficient the ignorant sort take the fruit thereof though they know not the mistery yet the Church doth not disalow any to pray any godly Catholick prayer what hee will yea the Pater noster Aue Creede in the english tongue so he do it not in dispight of the Church coÌ„demning others that they do not well that pray in the latyn toÌ„gue yea though they vnderstaÌ„d it not For often times it may bee that the poore plough maÌ„ that saieth his pater noster not vnder staÌ„ding the wordes may pray with more deuotion please God better then the greatest doctor that can make a sermoÌ„ of euery petition of the same for God in prayer doth not so much atteÌ„d to mans word but to his wil affectioÌ„ lifting vp of mans hart to God which is properly prayer Nay what doctor is so learned when he readeth the Psalmes though he can english them neuer so well that vnderstandeth them to the depth yea of some verse or senteÌ„ce perhaps he knoweth noe one perfect sence yet though hee vnderstand them not perfectly hee prayeth of them neuertheles knowing God vnderstandeth them his deuout meaning therein as
hath offeÌ„ded deadly yet the holy Church commaundeth once a yeare to recieue before which Confession in lay-men but much more in Preists if they finde their consciences guilty is commonly presupposed which vnlesse euery one obserue vnlesse he haue some iust impediment he grieuously sinneth and though a man cannot finde himselfe guilty of deadly sinne yet of some smal sinnes wherein we daily al offend and without which this life can hardlye be led the best maye accuse themselues may very well confesse them and ordinarely good men some euerye wâ—eke do confesse such small sinnes as light thoughts vaine wordes and the like which be commonly called veniall sinnes and whereof Christ saieth we shal make account at the daye of iudgement if wee first iudge not our selues here which though not of necessity because other-waies they maye bee forgiuen yet they may be matters of confession But a deadly sinne if one after due discussion of his conscience can remeÌ„ber it come to a lawful Priest euery one vnder paine of damnation is bound to confesse to a lawfull Preist a deadlye sinne I say that is the transgression or breach of Godes Commaundement it is called deadlye because it draweth to euerlasting death vnlesse wee confesse it in the holy Sacrament of Penance if in any sort we can come to the Priest Deadly sinnes be many but especially these following bee called capitall and principall sinnes whereof all other sinnes proceede Pride Couetousnes Leachery Gluttony Wrath Yet these sins some of them especially be not alwaies mortall but in some deepe or high degres Enuy Slouth Moreouer false beleife infidelity heresie these three be most grieuous deadly sins likewise witches or those that goe or send to witches or such you call wisemen coniurers those offend deadly Likwise those that speake euil of God our Lady or his holy Saints or against the Pope Christs vicar heer in earth or against the holy Sacraments especially the B. Sacrifice of the Masse those be all or some of them sacrilegious blasphemous sinners excoÌ„municate cannot be forgiuen without Confession at least in will when a Preist caÌ„not be had for those sinnes be most deadly against the first CoÌ„mandement of God that coÌ„maundeth no God but one to be worshiped as for Images or Pictures of Christ his holy saints they be no more forbidden vs therein than to carry the Image of our Queene in our mony or the like God forbad all Idolatry worshiping of false Gods vncleane false Idoles Images not true Images that be liuely memories of our Redemption vertuous personages therefore be called Lay-mens books as holy Fathers tearme them Nay God himselfe as you shal reade in holy Scripture commaunded Images to be made of Angels which were set vpp in Salomons Temple 3. Reg. 6. wherefore Christians right worthily set in their temples the Images of Christ his Saints For many a simple vnlearned man knoweth not how Christ died vpon the Crosse but only by seing his picture vpon the Crosse therfore heretikes that haue pulled it out of Churches doe that which lieth in them to put Christs Passion out of mans mind bragge they neuer so much in wordes of the same We then offend not against the first commaundement of God that religiouslye keepe and set vp holy pictures to imprint Christes memory in our hartes but they that breake and pull them down be impious heretikes who therefore in general Councels many hundred yeares before by the consent of all Christendome haue beene condemned Who in deed bee worse then olde Idolators as worshipers of their owne opinions an Idolatry far worse then that of the gentils Againe great swearers and forswearers offend deadlye and ought to confesse for an oathe ought not to be vsed but in Iustice and Iudgement whereby God is called to witnesse Likewise those that breake their vowes as of chastity and the like Let Schismatike Preistes that after their vowes haue taken whoores to their concubines which they tearme their wiues looke to this as for Ministers they haue no damnation for mariage which Preistes with their so tearmed wiues haue because they neuer made vow of chastity for they good men thinke it impossible to bee chast whereas * Cor. 7. 7. Ministers I meane so that they would forsake their hereticall ministerie and become Catholikes should not sin in taking vppon them honest mariage or in being maried Saint Paul wisheth all men to be so as himselfe that was chast As for vnlawful oathes when where before whomsoeuer they be taken they ought not to be kept for they doe euill in taking them but worse in keeping them if the matter be of importance and vniust As when Herod swore his daughter should haue what she asked and she like an enuious caytiffe by her mothers suggestion asked Saint Iohns head Herode did euill in swearing rashly but he offended worse in keeping his oath deliberatly * Mar. 6. Chap. XVII Of the rest of the Commaundements and of some sins against them to be confessed to the Preist LIkewise wheÌ„ one goeth as oftas he goeth to the heretiks Church to heare or bee present with them at seruice it is a deadly sinne and Schisme and a deniall of Christ which is the truthe and much more grieuous a sinne it is in recieuing that wicked and most blasphemous communion of theirs which is haynous Idolatry for that a man taketh a peece of bread reposing therein his saluation contrary to Christes holy ordinance that left vs his body and blood in the holye Sacrament to bee receiued which they like traitors to God and his Church haue abolished and deceiue with a peece of bakers breade the simple people giuing it them in steede of that bread of life that came downe from heauen whereby we all doe liue So that this communion of theirs being quite contrarye to Christes ordinance to receiue it is most horrible and deadly sinne And as by a worthye receiueing the blessed Sacrament a man is made one body with christ so to recieue their coÌ„munion it maketh a man one body with Antechrist the diuel wherfore I cannot find or caÌ„ hardly find a greater sin than to go to the heretiks Church receaue with them For receiuing the coÌ„munion as the Diabolicall Samaritanes the ministers therof do raise vp an Altar as it were against the true Altar of God which God euer so abhorred terribly punished so the receauers of that communioÌ„ I say make a publike professioÌ„ of the deniall of the B. Body Blood of Iesus in the holy Eucharist of the catholike Faith Religion yea take a signe seale of the same incorporating theselues therby to the synagogue of Antechrist the diuell as the worthy receauers of the B. SacrameÌ„t be incoporate knit or made one body with Christ Likewise not to come to Masse euery Sonday Holy-day if a man can conueniently is deadly Sinne. So
mention made His soule was not left in hell and Psal 15. 10. Ephe. 1. 20 et 4. 9. 1. Pet. 3. â—2 in another place it is said of Christ That hee asended what is it but because hee desended also first into the lower partes of the earth that was into hell of the torments or sorrowes whereof as being the death or vanquisher of death and the biting or deuourer of hell according to the Prophets he could not bee detayned or holden But these fellowes that deny Christ was in hell the cloysters whereof hee once broke binding that olde serpent and so deny their Creede no meruaile though they make so small reckening of Purgatorie but account it as a buggard to feare children In which place in deed I warrant them they shall neuer come vnlesse they amend their manners and monstrous opinions There is a lower place prepared for all such incredulous infidells and heretickes that is In inferno infernori In the deepest bottomlesse pitte and gulf of hell and damnation wherein is no redemption Chap. XLIII Of Purgatorie what sort of people be therein punished and for what manner of sinnes and defects they bee there detained and that Prayer Sacrifice Almes-deeds and the like bee healthfull for the departed NOwe that there is a Purgatory or a cleansing place for some lesser sins and the reliques of sinne or the paine and satisfaction due vnto sinne in the next life before the soule can be in quiet rest and enioy the glory of God wee proue it by diuers reasons and authorities of Scriptures and Fathers and the coÌ„mon receaued faith of the vniuersall Church at all times First then wee are to note that the euerlasting paine due vnto sinne is forgiuen by vertue of Christs Passion in the holy Sacrament of Penance so that if a man die in state of grace by that Sacrament a perfect penitente sinner with out doubt hee shal neuer perish euerlastingly yet there be many lesser sinnes many inordinate passions many defects and imperfections and the paiment and satisfaction due to those greater sinnes which all and euery if they bee not perfectlye wipte or cleansed from the soule in this life by perfect loue to God and works of Penance shall no doubt thereof be cleansed and paide for in the next before the soule can see God and enter into his kingdome For no spotted or vncleane Apoc. 21. 27. thing shall enter therevnto as witnesseth Saint Iohn Gods great mercy it is I say then that forgiueth the sinne by Penance here in this life that it be not punished euerlastingly in hell but it is in his iustice wee doe some satisfaction for it which if it be not here it must be done there that is in Purgatory before the soule can attaine the glory of God Many there be that speake of Purgatory but fewe that deepely consider the fearefull and terrible paynes thereof which be so great that no paine in this worlde is comparable thereunto The fire of Gods iustice there as noteh Saint Augustine as farre exceedeth the fire we see here as the fire in deede exceedeth fire painted vpon a wall insomuch that the paines of Purgatory differ litle from those in hell but that the one hath end and the other hath none and those in Purgatory be blessed soules in state of grace and saluation but those in hell be cursed desperate and sure of euerlasting damnation Three sorts of people as nameth S. Augustine there be that departe out of this worlde one sorte so good that they neede not our prayers As the B. Martyrs and Confessors that gloriously confessed CHRIST and with seruent loue shed their bloud for his sake that through Christ bee washed and cleansed in their owne bloud those washed their stoles as saith S. Iohn Apoc. 7. 14. in the bloud of the Lamb and with that feruent loue to God be so cleansed from all spot of sinne that presently without stay they enter into his kingdome walking in white garmentes of honour and glory with him for euermore these need not our prayers but pray for vs. An other sort there be that bee so badde that we may not pray for them after their death as all Infidells Iewes Turkes Heretickes Schismatickes and all whosoeuer die out of Gods Church vvithout vvhich is no Saluation or in deadly sinne those the holy Church prayeth not for as being by gods iudgment damned in Hell wherein is no redemption or recouery for euermore An other sort of departed there be for whome only and no other we pray that is for the faithfull departed in peace and charitye which can in no sort bee but in the faith vnity of Christes holy Catholicke Church that is for faithfull Christian catholickes dying in state of grace for them wee praye that sooner they may be released of their sinnes and defects and enjoye Godes glorye And that we ought this to doe vvee Eccles 7. 37. 2. Macha 12. Math. 5. 27. 1 Cor. 3. Phil. 2. 2. Tim. 1. 1. Iohn 5. Apoc. 5. proue it by diuers authorities of holye Scripture as where wee bidden to doe vvell to the dead and againe forbidde not fauour to the dead with diuers other plaine places of the olde and newe Testament but according to the places here alleadged how should one doe wel to the dead but by almesdeed or praier or how can we hinder them of benefit vnlesse we omit and cease to doe and pray for them Chap. XLIIII More at large of Purgatory prayer for the dead how heretickes not onlye corrupt but denye the playne Scriptures in avouching the contrary IN an other place of holye Scripture it is written how a noble captaine hauing of his souldiers slaine sent monye to Ierusalem to bee offered for the departed thinking well and religiouslye of the resurrection of the dead and that his souldiers died with piety or vertue and in the ende the Scripture concludeth 2. Mach. 12. 46. thus Therefore it is a good or holy and healthfull thought to praye for the dead that they may be loosed from their sinnes These places by mee alleadged here be the worde of God most plaine you see written in the holye and sacred Bible but howe thinke you doe the heretickes answere these plaine places Truly they deny the whole bookes and all to bee the worde of God and the Scripture so shamlesse be these companions that whatsoeuer is so plaine they cannot possibly glose vpon or wrest to their owne purpose that presently they cast awaye So Luther denyed Saint Iames Epistle for that it made for good works others other parts what kind of men thinke you be these that bragge before the simple in their pulpits of the worde of God why dare you commit your saluation to such who as long as they can in any sort wrest Godes word to their owne lust so long they crye the scripture scripture word of the Lord but when it is so plaine they can no way gainsay
diuine honor yet honorably to conserue and keepe them deuoutly to beholde or kisse them and to shew certaine reuerence towards them in that they be reliques and tokens left vs by such deere seruantes and friends of God we be taught both by the holy Scriptures practize of Gods Church from Christs time and the testimony of all good men which declare that by the reliques of Saints that is deade mens bones as the heretikes tearme them many great miracles haue been wrought Bid your Ministers looke in the 4. booke of Kinges and in the 13. chapter and see whether they cannot finde there in holy Scripture how when certaine men cast a dead body into the graue of Elizeus the Prophet as soone as the body touched the holy Prophets bones it rose vp aliue againe and stood vpon his feete Can heretickes blame vs for keeping vestments and cloathes of Saints departed when wee reade in holy Scripture that Elizeus by 4. Reg. 2. keeping his Master Elias his cloake receaued with all his double spirit and comming to the riuer Iordan striking it with that cloake the riuer deuided and by vertue thereof gaue him passage Mar. 5. 28. 29. Act. 19. 12. Act. 5. 15. ouer What did not the very hemme of Christs garment napkins and little cloathes taken from S. Paules body and the shadowe of S. Peter heale and cure the sicke lame and diseased with incurable diseases what need we goe farther for Reliques of Saints then to plaine Scripture itselfe were not all the Patriarkes buried with great honour did not Ioseph according to his father Iacobs cōmandemēt carry his body dead into the land of promise And were not Iosephs bones 400. yeares after his death with great honour by the children of Israell carried into the land of promise also and dare heretickes burne the bones sacred bodies of Martirs Saints and cast their ashes into the winde and waters rent teare their vestments asunder yea most vilanously breake downe and abuse the Image and sacred Crosse of CHRIST the verye ensigne of our redemption and yet saye they haue Scripture for it But these bodies of Saints bee they neuer so much abused by them shall appeare glorious in the resurrection vvhen Infidelles and Heretickes that teare CHRISTS misticall bodye his Church and his coate asunder shall vvithout all doubt frie for it in Hell I coulde shewe diuers miracles likevvise since CHRISTS time but time serueth mee not vvhich haue beene vvrought at the bodies of Saints As Saint Augustine maketh mention Aug. lib. 22. de ciu Dei cap. 8 of the Reliques of Saint Stephen whereby vvere cured diseases Yea by the very flowers that touched the Cophin vvherein his Reliques vvere put miraculous thinges vvere vvrought Wee reade also how that by the vaile of a certaine blessed Virgine and Martyr the outragious and furious flames of fire which threatned ruyne to some whole Citty haue beene quenched by Saintes bodies the Diuels expelled to the blinde their sight restored and the lame made to vvalke Howe miraculouslye vvere the two Chaynes that at Ierusalem and Rome bounde Saint Peter of them-selues knitte togither and the like vvhereby it appeareth how mightye and high their Lorde is howe good and gratious that so highlye honoureth the verye bones or reliques of his deare friendes that trulye serued and loued him here giuing other thereby encouragement to follovve their example Which honoure giuen by GOD to his friendes and seruantes when the Holye Prophete considered hee wondered at sayng Thy friendes O God bee Psal 138. 17. too too much honoured But the heretikes that not onlye denye prayer for the soules departed but withall burne and so dishonour the reliques of Saintes both which the honourable reliques of Saintes and prayer for the soules departed bee great hopes and comfortes of the resurrection truly in my simple judgement doe shoote fast to deny another article of our Creed that is the resurrection of the body and all with which denyall as I doe not alltogither charge them yet to confesse the truth I iustye suspecte them and let them not say but they haue beene forewarned Chap. LII Of honour and inuocation of Saints and how Saints pray for vs and may heare releeue vs by their praiers as also that our praiers to Saints and their intercession for vs is no iniury but glory to Christ our Mediator TOuching the Saints in Heauē our prayers and honour vvee doe to them such honour and prayers bee by farre and by many degrees inferiour to those that we doe to God naye what honour vvee doe to Saintes it tendeth chieflye to Godes honour who is honoured in his Saintes vvho accepteth the least seruice wee doe to any of his friends as done vnto him Novve you must vnderstand their be diuers kindes of vvorshippes and honours according to the worthines of the persons we shew it to as one kind of honour is due to father and mother another kinde of worship or honor to gentlemen our betters another higher honour to temporall Lordes Princes Bishops and the like and yet when wee doe this honour to them which by Godes Commaundement is due because they take power of him there is no reasonable man that can say wee dishonour God therein but rather honour him in so doing So likewise wee honour Saints as great friendes of God Princes and Senators in that heauenly court with an honour due vnto them which kinde of honour the Greekes call Dulia and wee right worthely worshippe and honour our blessed Lady as being neerest Christ with another kind of honour cal led Hyperdulia higher then that againe but wee honour GOD alone with that most high honour and seruice called Latria vvhich honour is due to none but to God only to whome finally and alone in this high seruic◠is due all honour and glory and with this most high seruice vvhich is Sacrifice vvee only vvorshippe God and no Saint For we say not we offer to thee Peter or Paul Sed offerrimus tibi domine deus Wee offer and doe Sacrifice to thee O Lord for in this manner of honour that is Sacrifice he will giue his honour to no other Heretikes nowe confound all these honours together making no distinction or difference betweene them whereby they deceaue them selues and others vvee then neither honour our Lady Saints nor Angels vvith that honour due vnto God but with such honour as is meete for his friendes and most noble creatures in whome God is chiefly honoured and praysed but touching Sacrifice which is proper to God that diuine worship I say consisting in external sacrifice and in acknowledging the parties worshiped to be Gods is it which may bee done to no man nor creature and therefore the Apostles refused it with all possible diligence and all the Angels and Saints in heauen refuse that adoration by Sacrifice The Catholicke Church suffereth no Priest nor other so to worshippe any Saints in heauen or in earth shee hath
but one externall Sacrifice of Christs body and bloud that shee offereth to God alone which is the holy Masse And neither to Peter nor Paul saith S. Aug. lib. 8. de ciuit Dei c. 27. Augustine though the Priest that sacrifiseth standeth ouer their bodies and offereth in their memories But other kindes of honours and duties inferiour without all comparisons how great soeuer they be to this we doe as the Scriptures and nature teach vs to all superiors in heauen and earth according to the degrees of grace honour and blessednesse that God hath called them vnto from our B. Lady Christs owne mother to the least seruant he hath in the world For which the heretikes would neuer accuse Christian people of Idolatry if they had either grace learning faith or natural affection As for that the Angel would Apoc. 19 10. not let S. Iohn worship him it was because as he said he was his fellow seruant especially now after Christs incarnation and to instruct vs that what good giftes vertues or holines wee receaue of God we seek not honour to our selues for it but for God Saint Iohn then beeing in an extasie knewe not so perfectlye whether the Angell was CHRIST oran Angell which if the Angell had not tolde it might haue beene Saint Iohn vvoulde then haue worshipped him as God which he forbad bidding him adore or worshippe God that was with the honour due vnto God and in other places of scripture when Angells appeared to men as for example to Iosue they knowing them Ios 5. 13 to bee but Angells then they neuer forbad men any such worshippe but Angells and holye men vvhen they had due honour done vnto them did not dissalowe it but rather commended it as by many other places of scripture may be shewed but I would bee briefe Nowe that Saintes praye for vs you shall find it in the holy Scripture of Ieremy in the fifteene Chapter of the second booke of the Machabees where is mention made howe Ieremie long after his death prayed for the people and that for the merites and prayers of Saints though they be departed God giueth many good gifts and graces to his seruantes you shall finde it in diuers places of holye Scripture as for example in the olde Testament almost in euery booke you shall finde hovve God for his seruauntes Abraham Isaac and Iacob and for Dauid his seruantes sake and the like spared and did not punishe his people vvhen they deserued it but gaue them benefites for their sakes longe before departed Neither bee our prayers to Saintes any iniurye to Christ our mediatour no more then when wee desire one another to praye for vs as Saint Paul did the Romanes and others Ro. 15. 30. desiring them to helpe him in their prayers For though Christ bee Col 4. Ephe. 6. our only mediator of redemption yet there bee manye mediators of intercession to make vs partakers of that redemption once vvroughte for all Neither is it meruaile the Saintes can heare our prayers for as appeareth by the Gospell they bee as Angells of God who reioyce at the conuersion Math. 22. 30. Luc. 15. 7. of a sinner and therefore no doubt see our needes assiste vs with their prayers and reioyce at our victories For if the Diuells by Godes permission see and knowe our actions much more then doubtlesse doe the Saintes of GOD by his gratious fauour see and perceaue our actions and necessities Neither is this contrary to that that God alone seeth mans hart for we Dan. 2. 1. Reg. 5. reade of Daniell and other men that haue knowne the secrets of mans hart by Godes reuelation much more doe the Saints in heauen that in seeing God as in a cleare glasse see them-selues our necessities and all thinges that are requisite for any creatures to know Gre. lib. 1. moral in Iob. For as saith Saint Gregory how is it but that they know all things that see him that knoweth and seeth all things Chap. LIII Declaring how God for his holy seruants sakes heareth our praiers and how the holy Fathers of olde praied to Saints NOwe all the Scriptures be ful how vvee men on earth be releeued and holpen by Angels in heauen as appeareth Tob 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. by holye Tobie guided by an Angell that deliuered him and his wife from the Diuell and helpt him to his mony made that holye mariage cured his fathers eyes and offered their prayers to God what vvill you haue more Holy Iacob the Patriarke when he blessed his grand children the sonnes of Ioseph these were the very wordes in the eight and fortie Chapter of Genesis saying GOD which feedeth mee from my youth euen to this present daye the Angell which deliuereth me from all euils blesse these children and vpon them my name be called and the names of my Fathers Abraham and Isaac As much you see said this blessed Prophet and Patriarke as we do when we say God and our Lady blesse the child GOD and Saint Iohn helpe you and the like which heretickes scoffe at and when Iacob said my name and of my fathers be called vpon did he not plainâ—ie declare that their children and posteritye shoulde beseeche GOD for their sakes to bee mercifull to them or else pray to them to pray for them as when wee praye to them and others saying Lorde for Dauid thy seruants sake haue mercy vpon vs O all Patriarkes and Prophets of GOD pray for vs Saint Peter praye for vs Saint Paul pray for vs and so forth Doe you not see here what substantiall groundes of holy Scripture wee haue for honouring and praying to Saints thoughe in a far lower degree then we honour and pray vnto God as I haue declared before for we say to God in our prayer God the father of heauen haue mercy vpon vs and not as wee doe to Saintes pray for vs signifying thereby that all honour wee giue to Saints tendeth to GOD and that all grace and goodnesse commeth principallye from God neither that the Saintes haue any goodnes or graces as of themselues without God but all from him so that we pray not to Saints for any want or insufficiency in God but in respect of our owne vnworthines that be not so worthy nor can be so speedily heard of God by our own prayers as by the prayers of his Saints of his Saints and deerest friends And this appeereth plainly by the last chapter of Iob that where Iobs friends vvere reprehended for their faults yet would not God accept their prayers for their vnworthynesse but bad them go to Iob to his seruant My seruant Iob saith God shall pray for you Now that all holy Fathers from Christs time to this day haue made their humble prayers and petitions to the Mother of God and all Saints their workes and deuout prayers declare time serueth mee not to repeate them they vvoulde fill vvhole bookes Chap. LIIII Touching by the way
the B. Virgin our Lady and the iniuries done vnto her ONly this I cannot omitte without griefe of hart the shamfull dishonour and blasphemy the heretickes doe and say against the B. Mother of God some Ministers esteeming her no better then their baggage wiues and some naming her with such compatisons and tearmes as I am afraide to recite But O filthy and blasphemous mouth darest thou call with such base tearmes the Mother of God the tabernacle of Christ and very temple of the holy Ghost his deare spouse the perfect figure and flower of his Church that starre of light in whose blessed wombe Christ rested nine moneths taking flesh of her sacred flesh and bloud shee bearing him in that sacred vessell of hers whome heauen and earth coulde not comprehend She that the holy Ghost spake by that all nations shall call her blessed darest thou I say compare to her a drabbe yea any woman that euer vvas or euer shall be Shee that is the flower of women She that bruised the Serpents head as repayring by her vertues that vvhich Eue lost by her vice She that was a pure religious Virgin in before and after her Sonnes birth She that is cloathed with the Sun and starres hauing the Moone vnder her feete Shee that shineth for euer vvith pearles and pretious stones of honour and glory that misticall Arke of God that royall throne of the very true Salomon whome he chose before all other creatures for his cheife and elect vessell in whome he is well pleased who for her incomparable beauty admirable perfection vnspeakable glory and splendor of all magnificent vertues farre surpasseth all the prayses of those Angelicall Citizens and humane creatures Shee that in giuing suck to that blessed Lambe of God sucked with all of him diuine wisedome euer duly seruing him neuer displeasing him conseruing all his wordes and sayinges in her harte who sitteth at the right hand of her Sonne in a golden vesture as prophesied holy Dauid all glorious that is compassed about with all variety of vnipeakable vertues and merittes there rewarded with honour and glory where as saith S. Bernard The Sonne sheweth his wounds to his Father and the Mother placed aboue all Angels Cherubyn and Seraphin sheweth her breasts to her Sonne There sayeth he the deuout pâ—nitent sinner can haue no repulse or gainesay And therefore againste all heretickes in the vvorld follow my counsell with S. Bernard In omnibus anxietatibus tuis Mariam cogita Mariam inuoca In all thy heauines and necessities whatsoeuer deuoutly think vpon Marye and call vpon her and seeke to follovve her example as a paterne to all faithfull Christians remembring that the iniuries done to her Christ no doubt accepteth as done to him and the honour done to her as done to him for the Sonne cannot but loue the Mother but I goe forward Chap. LV Of Images and of the Crosse of Christ and of the reuerende and laudable vses of the same IMages I touched in the first Commaundement yet to say more heretickes that will keepe pictures of their wiues husbands or friendes and may not abide the picture of Christ his blessed Mother and holy Saints mee thinkes poste faste forwards to deny the Humanity of CHRIST with the heretikes of olde otherwise I see not why they should deny his Image and picture As for pictures that put vs in minde of GOD the Father and the holy Ghost they doe not goe about to expresse his diuinity vvhich is incomprehensible and vnspeakeable which neither can bee painted fayned or imagined but onlye some propertye in GOD as his fatherlye care his eternitye his meekenesse mercye and the like expressed by the doâ—e and holy lambe which I touched before But that there were pictures euer of Christ and his Saints al antiquity doth testifie yea Christ himself imprinted the very figure of his face in a cloath in kissing it or laying it to his face which picture is reserued to this day whereby miracles haue beene wrought And Saint Luke painted the Image of our Lady reserued to this day borne in Rome in solemne procession in S. Gregories time whereby miracles as I haue probably hard haue beene wroughte There is mention made likewise in the Euseb lib. â— 14. â—is Ecclesiasticall histories of an Image of Christ made by the vvoman that was cured of an issue of bloud by touching the hemme of our Sauiours garment which Image shee set vp in memory of that benefit and the * hemme of the Yea a plant there plaÌ„ted or a flower wheÌ„ it greâ— so high as the hemme of the Image of Christ cured same Image did also miracles This Image Iulian the Apostata threw dowâ—e and set vp his owne in steed thereof which was immediatly destroyed by fire from heauen but the Image of Christ broken in peeces by the heathen the Christians afterwardes gathering the peeces together placed it in the Church where it was as Zozomenus writeth vnto his time But I hasten on and let this suffice any reasonable Christian that these Image-breakers in generall Councels by the consent of all Christendome haue beene condemned many hundred yeares ago as is most meete For surely such as cannot abide the Image of Christ his B. Mother Saints prepare the very way to Antechrist the Diuel his army that shall haue Imaginem bestiae scriptaÌ„ in froÌ„tibus Apoc. 14. eoruÌ„ the Image or Idoll of that beast writen in their foreheads in steed and despite of the Crosse of Christ which these Antechristian heretiks already detest abhorre And this moreouer I say and confidently affirme that if the King or a noble man would not take it in good part to haue their armes razed or pulled downe assure your selfe Image-breakers and spiteful razers downe of Crosses shall not be vnpunished as God hath shewed already some tokens of his wrath Therefore heretickes that slaunder vs we worship them for Gods belike thinke we haue not so much wit or sence as a dogge who knoweth an Image from a â—iuing body I warrant you euen by his very nose Let proud foolish heretickes then auaunt and preach trifling toyes to babes and Ideots Christians knowe what they doe in keeping and reuerencing Images and Christs Crosse neither neede they heretickes counsaile For touching that we doe to Images and Reliques wee want neither Scripture nor sufficient authority otherwise I deny not but some abuses about Images in some simple people might creepe in but that good Pastors and Bishops may easely reforme and Images stand still which being well vsed Saint Gregory rightly tearmeth as it were lay mens bookes as representing to the vnlearned in figure that which the historie doth to the learned in bookes but I cannot stay Chap. LVI Of Seruice in the Latin tongue and how meete and conuenient it is that the Scriptures be reserued seruice said in the auncient and sacred tongues THe heretickes to deceaue the simple made them a great while beleeue there was
vnto him Chap. LXI Of religious persons of their sanctity learning and perfection of life and of the vowes of pouerty chastity and obedience which make a religious man and of the heauy iudgment of God to vowe-breakers and how our Lady vowed virginity AS for our godâ—y religious men that with great feruour of loue to God dedicate themselues in holocaustumin a whole burnt sacrifice as it were both bodies and soules to GOD making a sacrifice to him of the chiefest powers of their soules by obedience and of their bodies by chastity and pouertye were they not prefigured by the Rechabites Nazarites and diuers orders of the Prophets that led a more perfect order of life then the rest of the people Was not Elias Saint Iohn Baptist and many more as it were religious Hermite Be not our religious Iesuits and Friers a plaine patterne of apostolik life that with the Apostles forsake al honour riches and promotion for Christ liuing in common preaching Christwith hazard of their liues to Heretikes Iewes GeÌ„tiles al barbarous people through out the whole world These bee most wise most learned yet most innoceÌ„t iust simple vertuous men such as the world especially our cuntry is not worthy of which a long time hath most impiously ingratfully reiected them notwithstanding that God prospered our auncestors of olde far better by their merits and prayers whiles they prayed preached and serued God in our country both night day by them our coÌ„mons were maintayned by them fatherlesse children widdowes and seruaunts sustained and releeued all states in body and soule by them greatly inriched supported The losse of which religious houses for al vertuous training vp of youth in learning and other-wise this country now feeleth And here I cannot omitt the subtilty of the deuill who by litle litle as the wilie serpent getteth in his head theÌ„ after his whole body he bore meÌ„ in haÌ„d that by suppressing of religious houses the couÌ„try wold be greatly enriched but they being once downe the couÌ„try within a few yeares after was spoyled in a great part of al verâ—ue riches both for that the king that was the first breaker downe of the wall that scourg of God for our sins speÌ„t al the mony he scraped of religious houses his coÌ„moÌ„s too that in a fewyears in vanities in besiedging of citties in other couÌ„tries litle benefitting him or his posterity and also deuided him selfe the whole Realme froÌ„ Gods church so spoyled himselfe others of vertue opening the window to al vice heresies Insomuch that shortly after though not in his tyme Lutherans and worse than Lutherans that he seemed so much to abhorre corrupted the realme abrogated Masse and all see by what degrees sinne and heresy entereth which by religious orders was long restayned Heereof then came presently the spoyle of the fairest flower in Christes garden next to Martirdome that was virginity which both S. Mathew the 19. Chapter S. Paul the first to the Corinth and 7. Chapter and S. Iohn in his Apocalipsis the 14 Chapter so highly commmend as S. Paul preferring that state before marriage saying he that ioyneth his virgin 1. Cor. 7. 38. in Matrymonie dothwell but he that doth not doth better As for breaking vowes of virginity chastity and the like as obedience and pouerty which three vowes be proper to religion and make a religious man These to keepe heretikes disswade and be the cause of the breach of such vowes whereby indeede good actions as deuoted to God bee a great deale more meritorious especially in religious men whose meate and sleepe in doing it of obedience is to them meritorious Such vowes hereticks contrary to the Scriptures say ought not to bee made but we proue it by the Scriptures as in Genesis Did not Iacob vow if he returned safe such and such thinges hee would do in the honor of God Likewise in the bookes of the Leuits Numbers Deuteronomion Indges Kinges Psalmes Prophets thorough the course of the Scriptures lawful vowes be commeÌ„ded practised by good meÌ„ damnation threatned to the breakers of them As S. Paul to Tym. the 1. Epistle 5. Chapter pronounceth damnation to those that breake the vow of chastity But woe woe be theÌ„ to runnegat vow-breakers Friers Nunnes woe to those that be the procurers For if man be iealous ouer his wife much more in most iust sort is gods zeale indignation iust wrath against those that defile his spouses vowed virgins once dedicated to him Nay did not the B. Virgin Mary vow virginity I will proue out of the Gospel that by the exposition of most ancient learned holy Fathers that shee did For when the Angell told her she should conceaue a sonne how commeth that to passe saith Luc. 1. 34 she for I know not a man and yet was she already espoused to Ioseph whome if she would or euer had determined to haue knowne carnally she neuer would haue asked any such questioÌ„ how that might come to passe For she the most prudent Virgin knew that by knowledge of maÌ„ was the way ordinary to conceaue but she saith S. Ambrose had made vow of Ambros in Luc. virginity which she might not breake therefore she asked the questioÌ„ how not doubtfull of the mistery but desirous to know the manner to whome the Angel answered not by man but by the holy Ghost which was without breach of vow and then she was satiffied thus you see our Lady was a vowed Virgin but be these the fruits of new gospellers that bereaue vs of all vertues yea vertuous religious persons also whereas the most learned most vertuous men that euer were since Christ and the Apostles time were religious men Ftiers and Monkes As S. Augustine of the Latin Church S. Basill a Greeke S. Anthony Hilarion S. Giles S. Hierome S. Bennet and S. Gregory S Bernard S. Dominick S. Frauncis all Monkes or Friers the most of them saying Masse euery day Good Lord what miraculous men were these so triumphing ouer the Diuel so mastering themselues so supporting others what continuall fasting what prayers what earnest profound studies were they daily exercised in some of them curing incurable diseases some raysing the dead others with a word expelling Diuels some giuing themselues for the help redemptioÌ„ of othres some knowing the very thoughts of men by diuine reuelation whome neither serpent nor poyson could hurt some by continuall meditation of Christ hauing the eies of their soules watered in his bloud and reposing themselues in his woundes open side had the very tokens and impression of those his sacred fixures imprinted in their hands and feete O what candor what simplicity what innoceÌ„cy what purity of coÌ„scieÌ„ce were in their vn spotted brests O what helhounds what meÌ„bers of the Diuell and Antechrist be these heretiks that pul down the Abbies Monasteries raze the monumeÌ„ts
head singeth in those diuine Canticles Meliora sunt vbera tua super vino fragrantia vnguentis optimis The sweete milke of these two breasts of the Church be Gods word and the blessed Sacraments First haue not heretickes vvith their false corrupt interpretations and translations framing scriptures to their owne fantasies most wickedly peruerted the same but also haue quite pulled out and razed whole bookes and notable members thereof which most flatly condemne their damnable heresies and therefore they plainly deny those most sacred bookes of Scripture to be holy Scripture at al. As for the Sacraments though they confesse two yet in effect they deny al saying they be but bare signes conferring no grace at all though Baptisme they haue still but not without daÌ„nable heresies about the same in their opinions yet their communion bread is poyson which they crect and set vp against the true Altar sacrifice of God in his church which sacrifice of the Altar they blasphaemously cal an Idol treading those diuine misteries left for the foode of our soules by christs holy institutioÌ„ vnder their feete The rest of the Sacraments they vtterly deny contemne the sacred Virgins which the church as the deare darlings of Christ imbraceth in her bosome they prophane religious persons by vowes dedicated to God they deride their Oratories and sacred places they pull downe riotously consume bestowe their liuings the sacred Priests of God in great numbers for professing of their faith and execution of their function they most cruelly persecute and put to death This England can testefie that besides the consumption of many in prison of al sorts within this forty years hath had aboue an hundred Priests be sides women and lay persons some of them after long and most hard imprisonment rack and torment at length all of them most cruelly put to death hanged drawne and quartered the most of them aliue In the inferiour Germany but in France especially haue Priests there founde more fauour falling into the Hugonots handes surely no it will seeme to posterity almost incredible what the holy annoynted of God haue there suffered for the Catholicke faith some of them haue had their bowels drawne out quicke and that on spittes winding them out before their faces to their greater torments and lingring death from others they cut off their members and gaue them rosted to eate others they buried quicke leauing out their heads as pretty markes to bowle and play at with many moe exquisite torments by those most cruell Caluinists full of instinct and spirit of Beza exercised vpon the seruants of God and shall these bee accounted of one Catholicke Romane Church with vs whome Iewes Turkes Vandalles Gothes nor most barbarous Scythians coulde neuer more cruelly persecute Shall these I say inherit and be pertakers of the fruit of that vine-yard of Christ that with cursed Cham reueale their fathers nakednes as if there were any Pope Bishop Prelate Priest or religious person that shewed some infirmities as we be but men most scornfully odiously they set it out to the scandall of the infirme and reproach of the whole host of God his Church whose ordinances and lawes which all Christen men ought to obey otherwise they be heatheÌ„s publicans they breake whether it be in fasting prayer or any other good order that most spightfully for that it is commanded by the Church to giue a plaine instance hereof The old Lord Treasurer Cecill thought it in policie meete or at least mooued the matter that the late GregoriaÌ„ Calender should be receaued Elmer start vp and said though otherwise Superintendent of London it were requisite yet would he neuer consent to receaue it because it was ordayned by the Pope With more moderatioÌ„ the Treasurer replyed My Loâ—if any thing good laudable be instituted by the Pope why may not we follow it Surely quoth he it is vnbishoply spoken but Iohn of London learned this lesson of his grandsire Luther to hate thâ— Pope in all things knowing that where the Popes laws may take force their heresie can haue no sway nor entraÌ„ce Insomuch that Luther being dead buried in hell though the Pope according to Christs promise shal liue gouerne the house of God to the worlds end yet to shew his blody mind of his followers thus haue I heard is it written of his Sepulchre Morstua ero O Papa c. See whether these be not fitte children and members for the Catholike Romane church the death of whose chiefe father and Pastor they imagine and intende to their vttermost power last breath yea if it were possible euen in their graues Shall any Protestant ministers theÌ„ be Pastors of Christs flocke whose true Pastors they so mortally hate whose sheepe they infect and deuoure indeed they shall haue their hire but with Chore Dathan Abiron and their complices whome hell deuoured swallowed vp for euer that for a lesse sclusme pride and disobedience then Protestantes daylie and now many yeeres haue vsed most obstinatly against the whole Church of God of whome they are no more meete to be members then those rebellious Châ—rites were to be of the host of Israell the army of the liuing GOD if we be so straitely commaunded in holy Scripture to flâ—e the heretik not to salure or conuerse with him if Saint Paul did bidde auferte malum de medio vestri For feare of corrupting the rest if the excoÌ„municated the Corrinthian for a lesse fornication then heresie is and if the whole Church of God neere the Apostles time haue cut of lesse heretiks then these from her society yea for holding the same heresies that these heretiks of our times do these holding withall many worse besides will now then the same Church contrary to her selfe her Masters precept and Apostolike doctrine yea al sence reasoÌ„ ingraffe such rotten members so virulent an pestiferous euery way in her body yea will Christ her spouse I say imbrace them in the lappe and bosome of his Church then surely will he admitt Turks and all and then wherefore was he incarnate suffred for vs on the crosse which blessed passion as the Turks deny so do Caluinists the effect thereof that in more blaspheamous sort then Turks Insomuch that I may safely affirme that protestant puritanes be further of from the true Church of God and haue lesse excuse to make of their Apostacie at the day of iudgement then the very Turks As for example the Turkes haue to shew almost a thowsand yeeres now for their antiquity continuance in great glory prosperity and victories especially now within these two hundred yeeres with the applause consent and following of many nations with great shew of almes hospitality long prayer fasting and other good deedes all which our heretiks want As for the Turkish opinions though in a grosse and carnall sort yet they beleeue there is one God all good iust creator of all thinges