his time very learned and composed a Chronicle vvith notable paynes which Bale tearmed an excellent and fruitfull vvorke and it hath bene printed by Protestants with great commendations And in the arraignment of F. Garnet he is called by a Protestant noble man a vvitnes of best regard accordinge to the state of those times Thus many thus auncient to omitt the famous Baronius and other later writers also alleadged thus esteemed of Protestants theâ—â— selues are the Authors whose testimonies I produce for what I say of S. Austin and his successors and of our Kings and our forefathers religion VVhose testimonie whether Ministers admitt or refuse they are ouerthrowne For if they admitt them they are clearlie condemned and if they refuse them they are contemned For in matters of Antiquitie to refuse to be tryed by so many so auncient so indifferent writers and so much commended by them selues and to say and that without testimonie of one equall writer to the contrarie that they were all either deceaued or lyed what other is it than vtterlie to condemne them selues and their cause as not able to abide the onelie triall which can be made of auncient matters that is by histories and auncient recordes will they not credit such histories as them selues iudge worthie of credit will they not beleeue such writers as them selues account especiall freinds of truth of singular fidelitie diligence and indifferent and most excellent Historiographers will they not follow them in matters of Antiquitie whom them selues tearme the most true guides of the times past What other thinge were this than obstinatelie to refuse truth it selfe But much more will this appeare when they shall be found not onelie to refuse our writers though neuer so auncient and indifferent and esteemed of them selues but euen their owne best writers or els be condemned Let vs see therfor the Protestant writers whom we produce as witnesses in this triall of Religions A CATHALOGVE Of the cheefe ProtestaÌ„t vvriters On whose testimonies the Authour relieth for what he writeth of S. Austin and Luther A. ABBOTS Doctor and Professour of Diuinitie now an earnest writer both against Cardinall Bellarmin and Doctor Bishop B. BALE Bishop of Ossorie in Ireland in King Edward the Sixt time as him selfe writeth Cent. 8. cap. 100. and one of the first English Preachers of Protestantisme in time of King Henrie for which both vnder him and after vnder Queene Marie he suffered as he saith much As for his skill in Antiquities he writeth of himselfe in his Epistle before his foureteeneth Centurie that he had Antiquitatum penetralia incognitas orbi Historias and in the Epistle before the thirteenth Centurie that he had read the histories and Chronicles allmost of all Antiquities And how earnest a Protestant he was appeareth both by his said sufferinges and allso by his most spitefull kind of writinge against Catholiques which is so great as it seemeth malice did possesse the hart tongue and penn of that man and himselfe is fayne to excuse it in his epistle to the Counte Palatin Of the Authour of the daungerous positions he is reckoned amongst their learned men who in the beginning of Queene Elizabeths raygne Came out of Germanie and of other Protestants often times cited Reinoldes in his Confer Abbots de Antichriso The booke which I alledge of this man is his Centuries of the writeers of Britanie edit Basileae 1559. in fol. BILSON at this present the pretended Bishop of winchester and well knowne for his writinges both against Catholiques and Puritanes C. CAIVS Doctor of Phisicke and halfe founder of Gonell and Caius Colledge in Cambridge So well seene in Englishe Antiquities as by an Oxonian Orator he is tearmed the Antiquarie CALVIN is more famous among Protestants than I need note him and of such account amongst many as Doctor Couel saith his writinges were made allmost the rule of Controuersies CAMBDEN well knowne for his discription of Britanye and tearmed of Protestants an excellent Antiquarie and greatlie commended of diuers in verses before his booke The edition of his booke cited by me is Londini Anno. 1600. in quarto COWPER pretended Bishop first of Lyncolne and after of Winchester well knowne for his Dictionarie and his Chronicle D DAVNGEROVS Positioner So I tearme the vnnamed Authour of a booke called Daungerous Positions by some thought to be the worke of Doctor Bancrofte now pretended Bishop of Canterburie by others of Doctor Sutclife F. FOX most famous amongst Protestants for his Acts monuments of their Martyrs which they haue so credited as they haue set it in diuers of their Churches to be read of all To omitt diuers high praises giuen to him as you may see in the beginning of his booke Ford vpon the Apocalips calleth him most holie father Doctor Abbots in his booke of Antichrist cap. 8. tearmeth him a man of most famous memorie a most graue and most pious man and plainlie a diuine man Bale Cent. 9. cap. 92. saith he was his Achates FVLKE Doctor of diuinitie and a great writer against Catholiques whom I. B. alias Bacster in tayle of two legged foxes cap. 13. thus prayseth profound fulke vvhose truth and great trauell the Church of God hath tryed many a fox hast thou had in chase not able to abide thy hote pursuite Doctor Reynolds in his preface before his Six Conclusions calleth him a stout and faithfull souldier of Christ G GODWIN now Subdeane of Excester sonne to Godwin pret Bishope of Bathe as himselfe saith in his Cathalogue of Bishopes H HOLINSHED notorious for his great Chronicle and most earnest against Catholikes as you may see by what he writeth of S. Austin HVMPHREY Doctor of Deuinitie and the Queenes Reader therof in Oxford whom I. B. loc cit thus comendeth Humphrey of much reading in thy time past vvas then a cheefe hunter of the Romish fox And Bale Cent. 9. cap. 93. highly commendeth him I IEWELL so famous and knowne to Protestantes as I need say nothinge L LVTHER the father of Protestancie and of what high account he is amongst Protestants you may see infra lib. 3. cap. 1. R. REYNOLDS Doctor of Diuinitie who saith I. B. loc cit hath the old fox and his cubbs in the chase S. STOW well knowne for his Chronicle and others his writinges of Antiquitie SVTCLIFE Doctor of Diuinitie and Deane of Excester and a great writer against Catholikes SVRVEYER so I call the vnnamed Authour of the Suruey of the pretended holie Discipline by some taken to be the worke of the said Doctor Sutclife by others the worke of the Lord of Canterburie W. WHITAKER Doctor and Professour of Diuinitie and a great writer against Catholiques whom I. B. loc cit calleth vvorthie VVhitaker of neuer dyinge fame Doctor Willet in his Tetrastylon pag. 9. tearmeth him a vvorthie and learned man pag. 10. a godlie learned man Doctor Bucley in his Apologie of religion pag. 84. An excellent man of blessed memorie These and thus esteemed
now we finde too true Queene Marie LIII AFter K. Henrie the eight succeeded in the yeare 1546. King Edward the sixt his sonne a child of nine yeares olde which childe wanting the vse of perfect reason and vnfit to gouern him self was the first Protestant Prince that euer was in England and turned the Roman religion which his Father had left though maimed in one principall point to open Protestancie Not for the miracles or rare vertues of the Preachers therof or their conuincing their aduersaries in disputation as King Ethelbert changed his Paganisme into the Roman religion as is before shewed but because the Lord Protector and his complices thought it most sutable to their humors and most fit for their aspiring pretences But how vnfortunat this exchange was not onely to the soules of this King and principall Actors therin but also to their liues and bodies yow may reade in Stow The ill end of the kringets in of Probestancie where yow shall see that the very same yeare 1548. that Proclamation was made for receauing in both Kindes the Lord Admirall a cheefe agent in the change of religion though brother to the Protector and Vnkle to the King was beheaded for a Traitor And the next yeare 1549. VVhen Proclamation was made against Masse sone after also was Proclamation made against the Protector him selfe the principall author of the change and he cast into the Tower And in the yeare 1552. when the newe seruice booke of Common prayer begun in Pauls the said Protector was beheaded And the next yeare the King died and the Duke of Northumberland an other principall actor in the change of religion though against his own conscience as he openly declared at his death was beheaded for treason and Cranmer and Ridley and other fauorers of that change were depriued of their Dignities and sone after burnt This was the rufull end of the first setters vp of Protestancie For maintenance wherof albeit a new Queene was proclaimed Nobles sworne and the strength of England gathered yet in short time almightie God ouerthrew it again without any bloodshed by one vertuous woman Q. Marie Protestancie ouerthrone by a vvoman vvithout any bloodshed Vertue of Q. Marie Author of danger positions l 2 cap. 14. Her Rom. Religion In the arraignment of F Garnat D Doue lib. of Recusancie vvil haue Bellarm. to be a Protest or at lest no perfect Papist who all the time of her life liued so chastly and religiously that all her enemies could not to this day fasten the least suspicion of vice vpon her And whome euen Protestants write to haue Bene of nature and disposition verie milde and pittifull VVhich argueth that they wel deserued the seueritie which shee shewed towards them And so earnest a Roman Catholick shee was as the Protestants write of her that there was Not these thousand yeares a more obedient daughter to the Church of Rome than she was VVherby yow may iugde of the impudencie of Doctor Reinolds who in his Confer pag. 583. denieth not onely all the former Princes but euen Queene Marie euer to haue alowed the Popes absolute spirituall supremacie or as he speaketh the Popes Monarchie but onely to haue granted him such a preheminence as the Duke of Venice hath in that state But with her in the yeare 1558. ended all the glorie of Catholick Princes of England Who except King Henrie 8. for a few yeares and King Edward 6. had continewed from the yeare 598. till the forsaid yeare 1558. the space almost of a thousand yeares And after rose a new kind of Protestancie differing from that of King Edward the childs time Not as I said before through any miracles or strange vertue of the Preachers therof or their ouercomming their aduersaries in Disputation but against the will of all the Bishops and a great parte of the Nobilitie by the counsel of meere Lay men and the authoritie of a woman who was induced to make this change not for zeale of religion which shee little regarded but to assure her state the more because shee feared if she acknowledged the authoritie of the Church of Rome her birth might be called in question But of the cause maner and meanes of erecting Protestancie we shall speake more in the second booke Epilogue HItherto gentle Reader thou hast heard 53. Princes of England successiuly beleeuing and professing the Rom. Catholick faith besides 70. and more others who reigned ouer certain partes of England whiles it was deuided into diuers Kingdoms whose names onely I will here set downe Kings of Kent 13. Ethelbert Edbald Ercombert Egbert Lotharius Edricus VVithâ—ed Edbert Edilbert Alriâ—us Edilbert-pren Cuthred and Baldred Kings of the East Saxons 9. Sebert Sigebert Sigher S. Sebba Sighard Senfred Offa Sclred Swithed Kings of Eastengland 13. to wit Redwald Carpwald S. Sigebert Egris Anna Ethelere Ethelwald Adulph Elwald Beorna Ethelred Saint Ethelbright S Edmund kings of middle England 17. Namely Peda Vulpher Ethelred Coenred Ceolred Ethelbald Bernred Offa Egfert Kenulph Saint Kenelm Ceolwulph Bernulph Ludecan VVithlof Bertulph Burdred Kings of the Northpart of England 18. Edwin Saint Oswald Oswin Oswi Egfrid Alfrid Ostred Kenred Ostrie Ceolwulph Egbert Ostwuld Mollo Alred Ethelbert Alswald Ostred Athelred and some kings also of the South Saxons Consider I pray thee now the number of these kings which is aboue 120 far aboue the smallest number of two Protestant Princes Consider their sex and age who almost all were men and of mature yeares VVheras of the Protestant Princes one was a childe the other a woman Consider their wisdome and valour in which they were inferior to no Princes in Christendome Consider their vertue which was so great as there are more Kings of Ingland Saints than of all Christendome besides Consider the end for which they first embraced the faith which was nether to enioy their lust nor to get any Church goods nor to assure their temporall state but to gaine heauen Consider the Counsellors whose aduise they followed herein were not ignorant and laye men but vertuous and learned Diuines Consider the motiues which drew them to the Catholick religion to witt rare vertue great learning admirable miracles of their first preachers Finally consider how long they continewed in their faith to wit almost a thousand yeares and how almost in euery Kings time here liued some notable men who with rare vertue and miracles haue confirmed their faith Consider I say all this and then iudge whither the Catholick religion of so many and so worthie Kings or the Protestant faith of one Child and one woman be more likely to be good and to come from God Can we thinke that so many Princes of mature yeares and iudgment should be blinde rather then one child a woman that these could see that in so few yeares which all they could not perceaue in a thousand That these two should hit vpoÌ„ Gods truth for temporall endes rather thaÌ„ they for spirituall That that should be
vpon it And therfor if it be reiected all our auncient Chronicles may be contemned as fables or vncertayne tales C CAPGRAVI lyued vnder King Henry the fixt He was saith Bale Centuria 8. cap. 1. Doctor of Diuinitie of Oxford and Prouinciall of the Austin fryers the cheife diuine and Philisopher of his tyme of a cleare witt and vtterance he loued the Scriptures singularly and commented the greatest part of the Bible and was Confessour to Humfrey Duke of Glocester E EALRID liued vnder King Henry the second He was saith Bale Cent. 2. cap. 99. famous for birth for learning and for innocent life He in short time excelled all his fellowes in all ornaments of life left no kind of learning vntouched refused a Bispoprike the better to excercise vertue and to preach the Gospell He was an other Bernard mild in disposition pious in action and most modest in Counsell and was a godlie man And in all kind of vvriting most like to Bernard Thus Bale ETHELWERDVS seemeth saith Cambden in descrip Brit. 100. to haue bene great grand child to King Adulph and liued about the yeare 950. His booke was published by Protestants with Malmes buriensis and others Sauill who published him saith he is to be commended for his nobilitie and antiquitie F. FLORENTIVS liued vnder King Henry the first He vvas saith Bale Cent. 2. c. 66. very learned both in diuine and humane literature and gott great fame by his vvriting He had saith Bale a vvit apt for any thinge and an excellent memorie let no day passe vvherin he did not some vvhat for the honour of his Countrie and calleth his Chronicle an excellent comment which also is printed by Protestantes G S. GREGORY the great was the cheefe Author next after God of the conuersion of our English Nation vnto Christianitie and lyued eight yeares after he had sent S. Austin hither and had heard of great fruit of his labours He is one of the famous Doctors of the Church and greatlie reuerenced of Protestantes as you may see infra lib. 1. cap. 5. GILDAS syrnamed the vvise a Britan florished about the yeare 580. which was eighteen yeares before S. Austins comming hither He vvas saith Bale Cent. 1. cap. 66. out of Polidor a most graue Author hauinge vvell learnt liberall sciences gaue himselfe vvholie to studie the Scriptures and ledd a most innocent life This mans writinges also haue bene published by Protestantes and I produce his testimonie cheiflie to shew what was the Religion of the auncient Britons GEFFOREY of Monmonth lyued vnder King Stephen He vvas saith Bale Cent. 2. cap. 86 a Briton and learned both in verse and proofe and he highlie commendeth his diligence and saith he excellentlie deserueth of his Countrie Thus he and other Protestantes account of this Geffrey which maketh me to alleadge his authoritie against them though Catholickes for the most part account him but a fabulous Authour and his bookes be forbidden by the Councell of Trent and Cambden Britan. pag. 8. calleth his historie Ineptias fooleries H HOVEDEN lyued vnder kinge Iohn He vvas saith Bale Cent. 3. cap. 55 of a noble race and a famous Chronographer His historie was published by Savill and dedicated to Queene Elizabeth wher togither with Huntington he is called a very good and diligent Authour and most true guide of the times past HVNTINGTON liued vnder King Stephen He vvas saith Bale cent 2. cap. 82. out of Polidor and Leland an excellent Historiographer and approued Authour and vvrit saith he finely and learnedly He is acounted of Cambden in Britan. pag. 306. an Authour priscae fidei Of Doctor Caius lib. de antiquit Cantabr pag. 64. Summus Historicus And his history was publâ—shed by Savill with the foresaid commendations Fluyd in descript Monae calleth him egâ—egium Historicum I. INGVLPHVS lyued in the time of the Conquest is much desired saith Sauil who published him of very many vvho desire to knovv our Antiquities M MALMESBVRIENSIS lyued vnder Kinge Stephen He vvas saith Sauil who published him in his epistle to Queene Elizabeth amongst the faithfull recorders of thinges done the cheefe both for truth of Historie and for Maturitie of iudgment very learned and hath comprised the historie of Seauen hundred yeares vvith such fidelitie and diligence that he may seeme of all ours to haue bene the onelie Historiographer Camb. in Brit pag. 514. calleth him Optimum Historicum an excellent Historiographer Bale Cent. 2. cap. 73. saith playnelie he was the most learned of his age in all kinde of good learning and of singular vvitt diligence and industrie in searchinge all Antiquites and compiled a fine and most excellent Historie And this man so highlie commended by Protestants is the Authour vpon whom next after S. Bede I relie and the edition which I cite of his historie and of Huntington Houeden and Ingulph is of Franckford Anno. 1601. infol MARIANVS liued at the time of the Conquest He vvas saith Bale Cent. 14. cap. 45. learned both in diuinitie and Humanitie and lyued all most thirtie yeares solitarie vvith admiration of all men and continuallie studied He is accounted an excellent Historiographer a singular Calculator and a graue diuine vvhich titles saith he to this dâ—y all vvriters de giue him Thus Bale Cambd. in Brit. pag. 321. calleth him an Historiographer Antiquae fidei N. NEVBRIGENSIS lyued vnder Kinge Iohn He vvas saith Bale Cent. 3. cap. 53. Doctor of diuinity scarce let any hovver pâ—sse vvithout reading of learned bookes and vvrote a Historie vvith a cleare stile O. OSBERNE liued vnder Kinge William Conqueror He vvas saith Bale Cent. 2. cap. 54 most familiar and invvard vvith Archbishop Lanfrancke vvas the excellentest Musycion of his time and had a florishing and eloquent stile OTTERBVRNE He vvrote saith Bale Cent. 7. cap. 75. out of Leland a historie sincerely though his cheefe studies vvere in Phiâ—osophy and Diuinitie P. PARIS lyued vnder King Henry the third He vvas saith Bale Cent. 4. cap. 26. from his infancie brought vp in learning and continuallie at studie And vvrote a Historie from the conquest vnto the thirtie fift yeare of the said King Henrie vvith most great diligence and fidelitie And for his singular giftes both of bodie and minde vvas deere to that King at vvhose commande he vvrot his Actes This authour is much esteemed by Protestants because some times he inueigheth bitterly against some acts of the Pope of his time and therfor was published by them and greatly commended in the preface by the pretended Archbishop Parker as it is thought W. VVALSINGHAM lyued vnder King Henry the Sixt. He vvas saith Bale Cent. 7. cap. 88. out of Leland studious diligent in Histories He is much commended by the Protestantes who published him in a Preface before his historie who is thought to haue bene pret Archbishop Parker VVESTMONASTERIENSIS lyued vnder King Edward the first He did saith Bale Cent. 6. cap. 31. labour singularlie in vvriting and vvas in all kind of learninge of
ether an 614. as Malmesbury saith in Hist and in Fastis or an 605. as Sigebert saith in Chron. or 608. as Bale hath cent 13. cap. 1. or an 604. as Baron gathereth out of Beda and Florent in Chron. and Stow pag. 62. affirmeth How then could Saint Austin cause this slaughter which was so long after his death and much les goe in the army to the slaughter as Sutclif citeth out of an ould Chronicle if he do not lye himselfe 3. For this Bilson in his Booke of Obedience pag. 114. saith that the King Ethelbert King of Kent whome Saint Austin conuerted mooued King Ethelfrid to commit this massacre and citeth therto Galfrid of Munmouth lib. 8. cap. 4. and so indirectly deriueth the faulte to Saint Austin his teacher That K. Ethelbert caused not the British Mōkes to be slaine But first if this slaughter were done as we haue seene out of Bale in the yeare 615. certain it is that Saint Austin liued not till that tyme but dyed before as is alredy shewed and therfore he could not be the author of this fact Secondly in defence of King Ethelbert I oppose against Bilson what Fox saith p. 119. Fox defēdeth King Ethelbert that it seemeth rather suspicious than true that Ethelbert being a Christian King ether could so much preuaile with a Pagan Idolater or els would attempt so far as to commit such a cruell deede And in truth who so considereth the disposition of that Pagan King in Beda lib. 1. cap. 33. where he is compared to a rauening wolfe will easely see that he needed no stirrer vp to make war against the Britōs And therfor Fox loco cit rightly ascribeth it to the fierse furie of Ethelfrid which was so great as he is sirnamed Ferus Besides that K. Ethelbert was more potent than King Ethelfrid for he had all the South part of England at command as testifyeth Saint Beda lib. 1. cap. 25. and Ethelfrid onely the North. And therfor if he would haue reuenged Saint Austin by war and bloodshed he would rather haue done it him selfe than stirred an other Heathen King against them But this good King was so far from causing the Britons to be murdered because they would not receaue S. Austins doctrine as that as writeth Saint Beda lib. 1. c. 26. he would not force his owne subiects to receaue it As for Galfrid ther is no such thing in the place cited by Bilson which argueth that he cited it out of Iuell without seeing the booke But indeed lib. 11. c. 13. Galfrid saith that Ethelbert excited Ethelfrid to goe to Bangor and destroy Abbot Dimoth other Monkes who had resisted S. Austin But Galfrid is a very fabulous Author the first broacher of Merlins Prophecies Cambd. in Brit. p. 8. calleth his history inepties fooleries and his book is forbidē by the Councell of Trent and of other incredible fables and liued many hundred yeares after Saint Beda who testifyeth lib. 2. cap. 2. that King Ethelfrid came not of purpose to kill the Monkes but to get Chester as he loco cit and Malmesbury lib. 1. Reg. c. 3. do insinuat and being to ioyne battell with the Britons espying the Monkes at prayer and vnderstanding that they came to pray against him set first vpon them and slew them 4. The second fault which Ministers impute to S. Austin That S. Austins not rising to the Britons proceded not of pride is pryde because he sat stil in his chaire when the British Bishops and Deuins came to confer with him True it is that S. Austin did so but that it proceeded not of pryde appeareth because nether S. Beda nor any English or foraine writer vnto our times besides the Britons who were hereticks then consequētly most proude themselues imputed it to pryde Secondly because Saint Austin and his fellowes as them selues write in Beda lib. 2. cap. 4. Honored the Britōs with great reuerēce while they thought they were Catholicks Therfor Saint Austins not rising to them proceeded not of pride but of some other iust cause Thirdly because the British Priests were such then as they deserued no honor yea much dishonor and therfore it could be no pride in S. Austin to giue them none VVhat kind of men they vvere to vvhome S. Austin did not also For besides that they were hereticks S. Beda lib. 2. cap. 2. calleth them vnfaithfull naughty and detestable people And Gildas their owne Contry man saith that they were wolues enemies of truth and friends to lyes enemyes of God and not Priests merchants of mischeef and not Bishops Impugners of Christ and not his Ministers more worthy to be drawn to prison or to the cage than to Priesthood And much more of the like sorte And Fox addeth out of an ould Chronicle Acts lib. 2. pag. 114. that all things whether they pleased or displeased God they regarded alike and not onely seculer men did this but their Bishops teachers without distinction Which being so I appeale to the iudgement of any indifferent man whether these men deserued any honor at S. Austins hands especially he being lawfully apointed their Archbishop and Superior by Saint Gregory Great humilitie in S. Austin to confer vvith those to vvhome he did not rise And whether it were not great humility in him to seeke conference with this kind of people now the second tyme after he had once before confuted them both by disputation and euident miracle which made them to confesse that he taught the truth The cause therefor why he arose not to them vvhy S. Austin arose not to the Britons was ether because he followed the aduise of his Maister Saint Gregory who albeit he were one of the humblest men that euer was yet lib. 4. Epist 36. giueth this counsell to Bishops Let vs kepe humility in minde and yet maintain the dignity of our order in honor Or els perceauing the Britons to be obstinat which well appeared when for so small occasion they would forsake the doctrine which them selues had seene confirmed by miracle and confessed to be truth he followed the aduise of Saint Iohn Epist 2. Protest cōdemne that in S. Austin vvhich they commend in Cranmer If any come to yow and bring not this doctrine receaue him not into your house nor say to him God speede But whether S. Austin would not arise to the Britons for these or other iust causes to him known Protestants can no way cōdemn his fact who commend a far les excusable fact of Cranmer Fox Acts edit 1596. p. 1599. 1699. Latimer and Ridley For Cooper Chron. an 1555. sayth that because the Bishops of Lincoln Gloster Bristow declared themselues to be in the Popes Commission nether Ridley nor Latimer would shew any reuerence to them nor put of their capps The same he writeth of Cranmer pag. 373. And if this behauiour be commēded in protestant Prelats towards their superiors and Iudges why should the like
was redy to dye ex Bed lib. 3. cap. 2. 12. The same Bale cent 1. cap. 83. saith that Aldelm went happilie to Christ and yet withal confesseth that he wrote for shauen crownes after the Roman maner feasts of Saints single lyfe and such things and was long tyme familiar with P. Sergius cent 1. cap. 93. He calleth Ceolfrid Beda S. Ceolfrid S. VVillebrord Willebrord Boniface and the like most holy monkes And addeth cent 2. cap. 1. that Beda had a most happie end And yet the same man saith of Boniface pag. 79. that he brought the Germans to Papisme and pag. 103. VVas the next to the Pope the greate Antichrist and signed a hundred thousand men in Bauaria with the Popes mark And cent 2. cap. 5. writeth that Willebrord preached Papistrie Of S. Beda he saith cent 2. cap. 1. That he can not be excused from all superstitious doctrine And in the same place saith that Ceolfrid vsed the new ordinations of the Roman superstition And that he was a plaine Papist appeareth by his epistle in Beda lib. 5. cap. 22. where he teacheth one sacrifice of the bodie of Christ rounde shauing of Monks Calleth Peter head and Primat of the Apostles Whervpon Fox lib. 2. pag. 126. termeth him a shaueling condemneth him for calling Peter a Mediator and termeth it a Monkish epistle And in lyke sort Bale speaketh of diuers others S. Hilda For cent 1. cap. 94. he saith S. Hilda Abbesse was a most holy woman Ibid. Iohn of Beuerly a man very learned and pious accounted it most sweet to preach Christs Gospel out of the Pulpit and ended his life in great constancie of Euangelical spirit And cent 2. cap. 1. Calleth him a most holy prelat Cambden also Descrip Britan. pag. 518. Calleth S. Werburg Saint S. VVerburg S. Milburg S. Botulph pag. 526. S. Milburg a most holy virgin p. 612. King Oswald Saint and pag. 150. That that age was most fruitful of Saints pag. 473. Botulph most holy And pag. 472. Guthlac lead his life in great holines This by the confession of Protestants was the fruit of S. Austins religion And if it be true as most true it is which our Sauiour said that we can not gather grapes of thornes nor figges of brambles And if it be true that vertue springeth not out of the Diuels seede nor Saints out of his Religion Sure it is also that S. Austins Religion came not from the Diuel but from God Can any man of sense thinke that so great sanctitie can stand with ignorance of the true way to saluation With ignorance of the true worship of God That men become Saints and attain to heauen by Religion of Diuels Are Diuels so bountiful to men as they will teach them the waye to heauen Or haue they such skil as they can inuent new wayes to heauen besides the way that Christ taught And this for the vertue of S. Austins followers Now let vs see what account Protestants make of the learning of some of them 4. That we may be assured that it was not ignorance which made our Ancestors imbrace S. Austins doctrine That our Ancestors follovved not S. Austin vpon ignorance S. Aldelm Bale saith cent 1. cap. 83. Did so studie both Deuine and Human learning that be far passed all the Deuines of his tyme most learned in Greeke and Latin S. Aldelm in Verse and Prose and cleare in wit and speeche Fox Acts 125. saith he was a learned Bishop of worthy praise for his learning Cambd. Descript Brit. 210. saith he was surely worthie that his memorie should remain for euer For he was the first Englishman that wrote in Latin and first that taught Englishmen to make Latin Verses Godwin in Vit. Aldelm He became Very learned in Poetrie excellent and writ much in Greek and Latin Prose and Verse but his cheefe studie was Deuinitie in the which no man of his tyme was comparable vnto him And yet to assure vs also of his Religion lib. cit affirmeth that he wrote at the commandement of Monks for shauing and anointing of Priests for feasts of Saints and single life and other saith he new rites and that he had great familiaritie with Pope Sergius And cent 14. cap. 26. saith that Maidulph maister of S. Aldelm was sullied with Papistical blemish and was a most eager defender of the Roman constitutions And yet the same Maidulph saith Cambden Brit. pag. 210 was of great learning and singuler pietie S. Beda Of S. Beda Bale cent 2. cap. 1. giueth this testimonie He was so practised in Prophane writers that he scarce had his match in that age he learnt Phisick and Metaphisick out of the purest fountains He knew the misteries of the Christian faith so soundly note that for his exact knowledg both of Greeke and Latin many preferred him before Gregorie the Great There is scarce any thing worth reading to be found in all Antiquitie which in due places is not read in Beda 〈◊〉 if he had liued in the tymes of Austin Hierom Chrisostom I doubt not but he might haue contended for equalitie with them He put forth many bookes ful of all kind of learning Thus Bale of S. Beda and in like sort Fox Acts. pag. 127. saith he was a man of worthy and memorable memory and famous learning The whole Latin Church at that tyme gaue him the maistry in iudgement and knowledg of the holy scripture Stow Chron. pag. 93. Beda a famous learned man Cooper Chron. An. 729. Beda for his learning and godly life was renowned in all the world Bel in his Downfal Beda for vertue and learning renowned in all the world Cambden Brit. pag. 670. Bede the singuler glorie of England by pietie and erudition obtained the name of venerable wrote manie volumes most learnedly And yet how plaine a Papist S. Beda was shal be shewed both by his owne doctrine and by open confession of Protestants cap. 17. 5. The third wherof I will speake is Alcuin scholler to S. Beda Alcuin but maister to Charles the great Of whome Bale cent 2 c. 17. VVriteth thus He was thought by far the most learned Diuine of his age yea of all English men from the beginning after Aldelm and Beda in so much that he was maister to Charles the great and the first beginner of the Vniuersitie of Paris skilful in Latin Greeke and Hebrew Cambd. in Brit pag. 629. Calleth him the onely glorie of York And yet who readeth this Alcuins booke de Diuinis Officijs shall clearly see that he and our Contry then was as perfect Papists as any now are For there he shal finde all our Ceremonies at Baptism of exsufflation exorcising of salt Chrisme and the lyke Our Ancestors vsed all our present Cath. Ceremonies in baptisme Our three Masses on christmasse day Our Candlels on Candlemasse day Our Ceremonies in the holy weeke of keeping the Sepulcher hallowing the font putting out all the candels but one
much filth of superstition D. Fulk Fulk 1. Cor. 4. Austin did not beget the Nation of the English men to Christ by the pure Gospel but vvith the mixture of Traditions And that Christian Religion vvhich he found in the Britons he labored to corrupt vvith Romish inuentions 1. Cor. 15. Austin did not in all points teach the true faith to the Saxons 2. Cor. 12. Aust brought in corruption Syr Francis Hastings in his Wast word once or twise saith that Austin brought in the Romish Religion Osandes Osiander Epit. Hist cent 6. Aust thrust Roman rites and customs vpon the English To vvit Altars Vestements Masses Chalices Crosses Candlesticks Censars Banners holy Vessels holy vvater and bookes of Roman customs B. Bale See Magdeburgenses cent 6. Bale cent 1. pag. 19. After Austins Apostleship saith he vnder the English Saxons there followed an other kind of Monkes which corrupted all with most filthy superstitions Idolatries And cent 1. cap. 70. Austin entred not with the Gospel of Luther of Christian peace but with the banner of his Apostleship with a siluer Crosse Letanies Procession Images painted Pictures Reliques and ritual bookes And cap. 72. Aust made Elbald drinck of the cup of the whore cap. 73. King Ethelbert first of all English men receaued of Greg. 1. Bishop of Rome by Austin the opinions of the Roman ReligioÌ„ with all saith he the imposture or deceit and dyed the one and twentith yeare of his receaued Papisme And pag. 73. he calleth our primitiue church a carnal Synagogue And yet further cent 8. cap. 85. Austin saith he brought in Popish Monkerie besides the Popes traditions o filthie and blasphemous mouth brought no thing but mans dung Cent. 13. c. 1. Austin the Roman brought hither Romish rites without sound doctrine The King receaued Romanisme with the anexed Idolatries He brought in Monkes Altars Vestements Images Masses Chalices Crosses Candlesticks Banners holy as they call them Vessels holy water and bookes of Roman customs Their cheeffest studies were about the oblations of Masses And finally Cent. 14. cap 31. he saith Austin disposed all things in England to the forme of the Sinagogue of Rome and made English men honorers of the Pope Thus plainly is S. Austins Roman Religion confessed by Bale who was both as earnest a Protestant and as skilful in antiquities as euer â—nglish Protestant was Holinshead Holinshead also Descript Brit. cap. 27. saith The Inhabitants of Britanie receaued the Doctrine of Rome brought in by Austin and his Monks Ib. Austin indeed conuerted the Saxons from Paganisme but imbued them with no lesse hurtful superstition than they did know before For besides the name ef Christ and external contempt of their pristinat Idolatrie he taught them nothing at all but rather made an exchange from grosse to subtil trecherie from open to secret Idolatrie and from the name of Pagans to the bare Title of Christians So far were these men from thincking S. Austin to haue bene a Protestant or to haue agreed with them as Fulk would 2. Cor. 12. in the cheefe and most essential points of faith CHAP. XVII That S. Austin was a Roman Catholick proued by the Doctrine and faith of the Engilsh Church which he founded 1. IN this Chapter I will first set downe what Catholicks haue written of the faith of our Primitiue Church and after what Protestants First therfor our Primitiue English Christians sayd Masse Masse in honor of Saints and that in honor of Saints Beda lib. 4. cap. 14. Let them say Masses and giue thanks that their prayer is heard and also for the memorie of King Oswald Likwise they sayd Masse for the dead and consequently beleued it to be propitiatorie for sinnes Masse for the dead Ibid. cap. 22. Tuna a Priest and Abbot did often times cause Masse to be saide for his brothers soule Item lib. 5. cap. 13. and lib. 3. cap. cit They erected Monasteries that dayly praier might be made for the dead Offered to god the pretious bodie and blood of Christ Secondly they did beleeue that they offered to God the pretious body and blood of Christ as we beleeue we do at Masse Beda lib. 5. cap. 22. All Christian Churches throughout the world should prepare bread and wine for the mystery of the flesh and precious blood of the immaculat lambe and when all lessons prayers rites and ceremonies vsed in the solemn feast of Easter were done should offer the same to God the Father in hope of their redemption to come lib. 4. cap. 28. S. Cutbert offered the host of the holsome Sacrifice to God Thirdly CoÌ„fession of sinnes and pennance for them they confessed their sinnes to Priestes and they enioined pennance lib. 4. cap. 25. Adaman in his youth had committed a certain greiuous sinne resorting therfor to a Priest confessed his sinne to him The Priest when he had heard his sinne said a great wound requireth a great cure and medecin therfor giue thy self to fasting and prayer as much as thou art able And lib. 4. cap. 27. He telleth how Saint Cutbert heard mens confessions and enioined them pennance Miracle for confession And lib. 5. cap. 14. He telleth a dreadful punishment inflicted by God on one because in time of sicknes he would not confesse his sinnes Fourthly Priests could not marry their Clergy after holy orders takeÌ„ could not marry S. Greg. in Beda lib. 1. cap. 27. If ther by any in the Clergy out of holy orders that can not liue chast they shall take wiues The same hath S. Beda l. 5. c. 22. Fiftly Dirige Masse for the dead they song dirige ouer night and in the morning sayd Masse for the dead Beda lib. 3. cap. 2. The religious men of Hagstalden haue of long time bene accustomed to come euery yeare the eue and the day that S. Oswald was slayne to keepe Dirges there for his soule and in the morning solemnly to offer for him the sacrifice of the holy Oblation Sixtly they vsed holy water and consecrating Churches Holie vvater candels Crosses holie oile Beda lib. 5. cap. 4. The Bishop S. Iohn sent the sick Lady some of the holy water which he had halowed in the Dedication of the Church and also candles lighted Crosses and holy oyle as we do now as is euident by Malmsb lib. 2. Pont. pag. 235. and Ealred in vit Edwardi Seuenthly they blessed them selues with the signe of the Crosse Blessing vvith the signe of the Crosse Beda lib. 4. cap. 14. Cednam blessing him selfe with the signe of the holy Crosse layd down his head on the Boulster and so falling a little in a slumber ended his life in quiet And lib. 5. cap. 22. Euery congregation of faithful men accustometh to beare the signe of the Crosse on their forheads that by the Diuin power of the same they may be defended from all assaults of the Diuel Eightly their Priests and Monks vsed round shauen
that receiuing his Pal he might sweare Antichrists so he stil termeth the Pope faith The like saith Godwin And of his going to Rome for his Pal testify Malmsb. lib. 4. Pont. pag. 289. Hunt lib. 6. Florent an 1021. Houeden 1022. Fox lib. 3. pag. 163. addeth that King Canut following much the superstition of Agelnoth went a Pilgrimage to Rome And Bale l. cit addeth That he perswaded King Canut to resigne his crowne to the Crucifix and calleth him a Bishop of superstition Eadsin Archbishop XXX 30. IN the yeare 1038. succeded Eadsin The vertue and religiō of Archb. Eadsin and died 1050. His Roman religion and vertue appeareth by that as Godwin saith after his death he was made a Saint Malmsb. lib. Pont. pag. 204. and Florent an 1043. write that he anointed King Edward Confess who was a notorious Papist Robert Archbishop XXXI 31. THe next was Robert who succeded an 1050. and sate two or as Malmsb. in Fastis saith 3. yeares His Roman religion is manifest by that he was a Monk Rom. religion of Archb. Robert brought vp as Godwin saith in the Monasterie of Gemetica in Normandie had a Pal from Rome as he saith in the life of Stigand And being accused went saith Malmsb. 1. Pont pag. 204. to Rome from whence he came with letters to clear him and to recouer his See Stigand Archbishop XXXII 32. THe last Archbishop before the Conquest was Stigand who an 1052. vsurped the seate whilst his Predecessor liued and was depriued an 1069. He was saith Godwin stoute and wise inough His Roman religion is manifest by that as Godwin writeth he laboured to procure a Pal of the Pope Rom. religion of Archb. Stigand but could not because of his vnlawful entrance And therfore as Ingulph who liued then writeth pag. 898 Malmsb. lib. 1. Pont. pag. 204. Florent An. 1058. he procured one of an Antipope which then was The first and last Archb. in the Saxons time said Masse and had a Pall. and vsed it saith Florent An. 1070 in Missarum celebratione Thus you see all the Archbishops of Canterburie in the Saxons tyme for 466. yeares together were Roman Catholicks And as S. Austin the first of them had a Pal from the Pope and sayd Masse so did the very last Now let vs shew the same of all the Archbishops from the Conquest vnto our time CHAP. XX. That all the Archbishops of Canterb from the time of the Conquest vnto our tyme were Roman Catholicks 1. THe 33. Archbishop of Canterburie and first after the Conquest of England was Lanfranck He entred an 1070. being Monke and Prior of Becco in regard saith Godwin of his singuler wisdome and great knowledg of all good learning that those times could affoard The singuler great learning and vvisdom of Arch Lanfranck Was first called by Duke William to be Abbot and after hauing conquered England for his wisdom and faithfulnes he made choise of him for Archbishop of Canterburie Godvvin as one in all respects most fit and worthie which being wel known to all men the Couent of Canterb. at the Kings first nomination readily chose him The nobilitie and Laitie willingly receaued him with great applause Bale Bale Cent. 13. cap. 12. saith he was the most perfect of his tyme in all kind of Logick or subtilitie of Aristotle He corrected and amended according to the right faith all the bookes of the olde and new Testament which had bene corrupted by faulte of the writers and also the writings of the holy Fathers Fox Fox lib. 4. pag. 184. From his commendation and worthines I list not to detract anie thing Stovv Stow Chron pag. 148. Lanfranck skilful in science prudent in Councel and gouernment of things and for religion and life most holie His holines And pag. 171. reporteth that King William Conqueror being redy to die said that he supposed that the praises of Lanfranck and Anselme his Successor sound in the vttermost corners of the Earth He was busie saith Godwin in exhorting King Rufus to vertue and godlines Protestāts forced most highly to commend their learning and vertue vvho condemned their Doctrin And as long as Lanfranck liued saith Stow pag. 179. Rufus seemed to abhor all kind of vice in so much as he was counted the mirror of Kings This high praise for learning and vertue Protestants giue to this Archbishop whome to their confusion they confesse as yow shall heare anon to haue bene a most notorious Papist and the greatest enemy of Berengarius Archb. Lanfranc first confuted the deniers of Transubstātiation whome they account their Patriarch for the denial of the real presence If I should alleadg the sayings of Catholick writers in his commendation I should neuer make an ende Onely therfor I will cite two who liued in his time and quote some others Malmsb. Malmesbur lib. 3. Hist pag. 109. saith he was a man comparable to the Fathers in Religion and learning on whom in earnest may be verified A third Cato came from heauen So heauenly sauor had embued his brest and mouth So all the Latin Church did by his learning stir it self vp to the study of the liberal sciences So by his example or feare Monastical perfection did goe for ward in religion And much more he hath of Lanfranck 1. Pont. pag. 213. sequ Ingulph also Hist Ingulph pag. 901. saith he was the most commended and clear Doctor of all liberal sciences and most expert in temporal affaires and most holy in life and religion Marian The like also hath Marian who liued at that tyme Chron. Florent Huntingt an 1070. Florent and Westmon Ibid. Huntington lib. 7. Neubrigen lib. 1. cap. 1. Paris Hist pag. 8. Walsingham in ypodigmate Capgraue and Trithem in Lanfranco 2. And no les notorious was the Roman religion of this worthie Archb. Rom religion of Archb. Lanfranc than his learning and vertue was famous Which for breuitie sake I will onely proue by the confession of Protestants Bale Cent. Bale He an Heretik vvho in faith differeth from the Church of Rome 13. cap. 12. saith plainly He did many things for the exaltation of Papistrie Defineth him to be an Heretick who differeth from the Church of Rome in doctrine of faith Which is as much as any Papist now can or wil say And Cent. 2. cap. 62. Lanfranck and Anselm set vp the mouldy so this wretch blasphemeth Idol of the Masse Priests mariages condemned and condemned the holy marriages of Priestes Fox lib. 4. pag. 173. citeth this beginning of his letter to Pope Alexander To the Lorde Pope Alexander high ouerseer of all Christian Religion Fox Lanfranck due obedience with all subiection Pag. 394. he calleth him a stout Champion of the Pope Pag. 1147. cheefest trobler of Berengarius And pag. 1148. citeth this profession of Lanfranck Lanfranck his profession of Transubstant I beleeue the earthly
accused in the Conclaue of fauering protestants and of other matters He cleared himself saith Godwin of all these suspitions absolutely so that the next day they were more resolute to make him Pope than before And infra he saith Queene Marie loued him for his learning and nobilitie but aboue all for his religion and finally that he reconciled England to the Pope and receiued from him his Pal. Bale Cent 8. cap. 100. saith he was a Cardinal soldier of Antichrist not to be commended for any vertue by the seruant of God and saith that in an Oration to the Emperor he called the German Protestants newe Turks Sleidan lib. 10. in fin and their Gospel Turcicum pestiferum adulterinum semen Turkish pestiferous and adulterous seede An. 1607. which Crashew was not a shamed in his sermon at Paules Crosse to affirme that Poole said o the written word of God Farther more Bale termeth this worthie Prelat and great ornament of our Nation horrible beast a rooter out of the truth of the Gospel a most wicked Traitor to his Contrie and prayeth God to confound him So vndoubted it was while Cardinal Poole liued that he was no Protestant but a most earnest Roman Catholick See Andreas Dioditius in vit Poli. Which who readeth his booke and considereth his deedes may yet see more fully But by him may the iudicious reader see with what truth or face our Ministers challeng S. Austin and other holy and antient Archbishops of Canterburie to be of their religion Epilog First and last Cath. Archb of Canterb. said Masse and haue palls from Rome The number of our Archb. Their continuance learning vertue and vvisdom 39. THus yow see the first and the last of the Catholick Archbishops of Canterburie namely S. Austin and Cardinal Pole to haue said Masse and had their Palls from Rome and all of them except one euer since the first Christianitie of our Nation vnto our daies for number thre score and nine for continewance of nine hundred fisty and eight yeares for learning many of them most famous for wisdom most excellent and for vertue diuers of them most admirable as you haue heard by the very confession of Protestants them selues VVho vvil not advventure his soule rather vvith these than vvith Cranmer Thus manie I say thus excellently qualified Primats and Pastors of al England thus long to haue taught the Catholick faith to haue followed it them selues to haue defended it with their great learning maintained it by their miracles authorized it by their notable vertues and finally to haue liued in it most religiously and died most happely What shall wee thinck of them That so many and great Clerks were so many hundred yeares ignorant of the truth That so many and so great Saints so long tyme missed of the way to heauen That all our Ancestors who so many yeares followed them were christened in vaine beleeued in vaine and worshiped and serued God in vaine and finally died in their sinnes and are damned and gon to hel No vvaie to heauen but by Christ and his true faith As we must needs thinck vnles we graunt the Roman Catholick faith to be the faith of Christ and right way to saluation Shall I say such an vnchristian vnnatural and vnreasonable thought enter into our harts And not rather follow the aduise of S. Paul saying Mementote Praepositorum vestrorum qui vobis locuti sunt verbum Dei quorum intuentes exitum conuersationis imitamini fidem Beholding the end of the coÌ„uersation of your Prelats follovv their faith Let vs behould the holy conuersation and happie vertuous ende of those holy and worthy Prelat and primats of England assuring our selues that vertue can not follow the Diuel nor Gods Saints be condemned to Hel. Let vs embrace their faith which was the roote of their vertue and their cheefe guide in their way to heauen whither they are happily ariued and we shall assuredly follow if we keepe their faith and imitat their vertue And thus hauing shewed that all our Archbishops of Canterburie and consequently all our Clergie Bishops Archdeacons Deacons Canons Pastors Vicars Monkes All Besides VViclef and his small number and Friers were Roman Catholicks euen from the first Christianity of our Nation to our age Let vs procâ—ed an shew the same of our Christian Kings and Laitie CHAP. XXI That all our Christian English kings to king Henrie 8. time were Roman Catholicks proued by general reasons 1 No record that anie of our old christian Kings vvas Protestant 1. FIrst because as I said of the Archbishops ther is no script no scrole no record no monument to testifie that our former Christian kings were of any other religion than king Henrie 8. was before he began the change Therfor they that affirme the contrarie either know it by reuelation or speake without booke Besides it is impossible that ther should be an alteration in religion which is the most markablest thing in a Common welth and that there should be no mention therof and altogether incredible in England where we see the first alteration from Paganisme to Christianitie and now lately from Papistrie to Protestancie recorded in all Histories yea priuat mutations made by kings in some Churches from Priests to monks or contrary wise And can we thinck that a mutation from Protestancie to Papistrie if any such had bene would haue bene omitted and forgotten 2. All the Archbishops of Canterburie were Roman Catholicks as is before shewed 2 All their Archb. vvere Catholicks and yet none of them trobled by the kings of former times for his religion yea most of them greatly honored by them and diuers made Archbishops by their kings procurment 3 They suffered Archb. to be consecrat of the Pope c. 3. They suffered the said Archbishops to go to Rome where diuers of them were consecrated of the Pope to receaue their Pal to be his legat and take their forsaid oath of fidelitie to the Pope which if they had bene Protest and not perfect Roman Catholick they would neuer haue permitted yea some of the kings procured Pals for their Archb Kings procure palls from the P. for their Archb. as King Edwin for S. Paulin in Beda lib. 2. cap. 17 King Alfwald for Archbishop Eanbald Florent An. 779. Huntington lib. 3. king Rufus for S. Anselm Fox Acts. pag. 185. 4. Nine of the ancient kings left their Kingdomes and became monks 4 Manie ancient Kings became Monks as Fox confesseth Acts. pag. 133. whose names are these king Kinegilfus K. Cedwalla king Ina king Ethelred king Sigebert king Coenred king Offa king Edbert Monks vovved chastie pouertie and obedience to whome pag. 131. he addeth king Kenred Now moÌ„kes in that time vowed chastitie as is euident in S. Beda lib. 5. cap. 22. lib. 4. cap. 25. lib. 3. cap. 25. And Pouertie lib. 1. cap. 25. And obedience lib. 4. cap. 5. And how
goodly monastery at Beulieu erected a Nonry at Godstow to pray saith Camb. Brit. p. 329 for his Fathers soule for that perswasion had then possessed the minds of all men And in his Charter to Batel Abbey commandeth all his Iustices to defend the Possessions of that monastery sicut saith he nostra propria as our owne And Regist Buriense saith he gaue a great Saphir and a Ruby to S. Edmunds Shrine Fiftly when Grecians came to dispute against his faith he would not hear them Bale Cent. 3. cap. 37. ex Paris Sixtly Fox Acts. pag. 253. writeth that King Iohn submitted himselfe to the Court of Rome and as Bale saith Cent. 3. cap. 75. Acknowledged the Pope to be head of all Christians And though he disobeyed for a time the Pope yet that he did not for a difference in religion but because the Pope would make an Archb. of Canterb. whome the King misliked And as Cooper saith Anno 1201. For vvhat cause K. Ihon disobeyed the Pope for a time did this not vpō iudgment to set vp true religion saith he but vpon couetousnes and of a forward mind Finally vpon his deathbed saith Fox Acts pag. 256. he much repented his former life and had saith Stow pag. 262. a Confessor at his death and receaued the Sacrament at the hands of the Abbot of Crocston and died with these words VVestmon An. 1216. Deo sancto VVolstano animam meam commendo I commend my soul to God and S. VVolstan Paris pag. 389. Of the manner of his death Fox Acts. pag. 256. writeth thus Some write that he died of sorrow as Polidor K. Ihon dieth in profession of the Cathol saith some of surfeting as Redinger some of a bloodie flux as Houed some of a burning ague some of a colde sweat some of eating apples some of eating peares some plummes c. yet saith he most writers agree that he was poisoned by the Monke Symon of Swinfled But who those were he writeth not nor could name one besides a nameles Author of that Chronicle which because Caxton printed it is cald Caxtons Chronicle And it is as Stow well saith pag. 494. a fabulous booke And therfore Bale Cent. 3. cap. 75. referreth this to report saing Vt serunt as men report But who will not beleeue rather Paris pag. 389. Westmon Anno 1216. and others liuing in that same time or sone after who say he died of surfit sorrow then a Chronicle accounted by Protestants themselues a fabulous booke or writen by a nameles Author long after that time In this Kings time Saints died that glorious Saint Saint Hugh Bishop of Lincolne and Carthusian Monke whome Godwin in his life calleth Saint And saith By his integritie of life and conuersation and the opinion of diuers Miracles wrought by him hath purchased vnto him selfe the honor and reputation of a Saint He addeth also that S. Hugh Grew very famous far and neere for his extraordinarie abstinence and austeritie of life And that king Iohn and king William king of Scotts for great reuerence they bare to his holines helped to carry his Corps from the gate of the Cittie vntill it came to the Church dore King Henrie the III. XL. 9. IN the yeare 1216. succeded king Henrie 3. sonne to king Iohn and reigned 56. yeares dyed Anno. 1273. He was saith Cooper Anno. 1218. of nature gentle VVisdom and pietie of King Henrie 3. of minde sage and wise And so pious as Leolin Prince of Wales saith Fox Acts pag. 280. protested that he feared more his almes than his puissance And Westmon Anno 1272. speaking of this king saith Of how great innocencie of how great patience and of how great deuotion he was in obeying his Sauiour our Lord knoweth and they which faithfully adhered to him and of how great merit he was with God the miracles after his death testifie His Rom. Religion The Roman religion of this vertuous king is manifest First because as Fox saith in his Acts pag. 257. He was crowned by Swall the Popes Legat and Stow addeth pag. 263. Being crowned the gouernment of the King and his Kingdome was committed to the Legat to the Bishop of VVinchester c. Secondly because Continuator of Paris who then liued saith pag. 1349. K. Henrie 3. daily heard 3. sung Masses and Walsingham in Edward 1. pag. 19. Euery day he was accustomed to heare three songe Masses and desirous to heare moe serued daylie Priests celebrating priuatly and when the Priest did eleuat our Lords bodie he vsed to hould the Priests arme Deuotion of King Hen. 3. Bal. Cent. 4 cap. 46. and to kisse it And when that Lewis king of France said vnto him that he should oftner heare sermons he answered I had rather see my freind often than heare an other speake of him though neuer so wel Thirdly his Confessor was a Dominican Frier named Iohn Dorlington A. Quene a Nonne Bale Cent. 4. cap. 56. and Walsing in Edward 1. pag. 7. His Queene also after his death became a Nonne Walsing pag. 14. Fourthly in this Kings time came into England diuers orders of Friers as the Dominicans to whome Diuers kinds of Friers enter into England saith Stow pag. 268. the King assigned a house in Oxford The Gray Friers Cooper Anno 1222. The Croochet Friers Anno. 1244. Bale Centur. 4. cap. 3. The Austins Friers Anno. 1252. Centur. 4. capit 17. to whome cap. 46. he addeth the Paulins the Friers of Armenia the Friers de poenitentia the Friers de Viridi Valle and the Bonhomes Which last order Rodulphus l. 2. de Saincto Francisco saith was instituted by Richard Earle of Cornwall and brother to King Henrie Fiftly when the Pope sent a Legat into England saith Paris pag. 589. the King met the Legat most dutifully at the Sea coast and bowing his head to his knees cōducted him most respectiuely to the inermost parts of his Kingdome when he departed brought him with great honor to the Sea Stow Chron. Anno 1241. Sixtly because as is to be seene in Fox Act. 287. others He wrote to the Pope thus Sanctissimo in Christo Patri c. To his most holy Father Lord in Christ Innocent K. Henrie 3. calleth the P Lord in Christ offereth to kisse his feet by the grace of God cheefe Bishop health and kisses of his blessed feete And in the letter May it please your Fatherhood we beseech yow that our lawes and liberties which yow may righly repute none other but your owne yow will receaue to your tuitiō to be cōserued whole sound Vpon which words Fox maketh this note The K. in too much subiection to the Pope And in a letter in Paris pag. 839 The K. professeth to the Pope that In all the time of our reign we haue submirted ourselues our kingdom in all through all things to the wil of your Father hood And pag. 863. he citeth letters of
teacheth me maners Againe The diuel oftener and nearer sleepeth vvith me than my Kate. I haue tvvo maruelous diuels Se◠Feuard in 4. Iren cap. 32 Vlenberg Cansa 21. Apol of Protestants trac 2. cap. 2 parag 2. Testimonie of other Prottestants for the same Erasmus Fox in Calendar D. Reinol Confer pag 155. Ministers of zurich vvho among the diuels are great Doctors in diuinitie And in his letters to the Elector of Saxonie The diuel some times so passeth through my braines as I can nether vvrite nor read And in Colloq latin fol. 32. I had rather saith he be killed by the diuel than by the Emperor And of the forsaid conference betwene Luther the diuel Erasmus cont epist non Sobr Lutheri writeth thus He bringeth in a disputation of the diuel vvith a man in his book of Masse in corners ascribeth such strong argumēts to him diuel as he saith he could not ansvver them And againe The diuel did impugne his mynd about Masse vvith strong vveapons Thus Erasmus a Confessor and plaine meaning man amongst Protestāts And the Ministers of Zurich in their Confession fol 25. 26. 127. call Luther the Minister of Sathan and say that he wrote his books impulsu spiritus Satanae cum quo disputationem instituit quique vt videtur Lutherum disputando superauit by the motion of that spirit Satan vvith vvhome he disputed and vvho as it seemeth ouercame him in disputation This same also testifie Gesnerus Gesner and others Tossanus Neostadius Beza Caluin and others cited by Feuardent in lib. 4. Iren. cap. 32. Nether was it peculier to Luther to be thus taught of the Diuel For to Carolstadius appeared a diuel whiles he was preaching as Alberus a Protestant witnesseth to which the Ministers of Basil add that he was killed of a diuel Zuinglius in his book de Subsid Euchar. professeth that he learnt his doctrine about the Eucharist of a spirit which I know not saith he albus an alter fuerit whether it were black or vvhite that is good or bad God or the Diuel Caluin epist ad Bucer confesseth he had Genium a familiar to whome he attributeth his vaine of cursing And of Knox his conference with the diuel you may see Hamilton Confut. Caluin pag. 254. And thus much touching Luthers deeds Luthers vvicked doctrin 6. As for his wicked doctrine some thing hath bene said already and here we will add a litle more referring the cheef to the third part of this Treatise In behalf of sin he teacheth l. de Captiu thus No sinnes cā damne a Christian but onely incredulitie And against goods works he hath these two Articles in Fox p. 1167. In euerie good work the iust man sinneth Euerie good vvorke of ours vvhen it is best done is a veniall sin In fauor of carnall lust he writeth serm de Matrim If the vvife can not or wil not let the maide come againe As it is not in my povver that I shold be a man so it is not in my povver that I shold be vvithout a vvomā Item It is not in our povver that it shold be ether staied or omitted but it is as necessarie as that I shold be a mā more necessarie thā to eate drink or steepe And l. de Captiu l. de Matrim If a womans husbād be impotent than saith he I vvold aduise that vvith consent of her husband she shold by vvith an other Epist ad Albert d Mogunt Horribile est si vir in morte inueniatur sine vxore or vvith her husbands brother yet vvith secret mariage If her husband vvold not consent I vvold aduise that mariyng to an other she shold fly into some remote vnknowne place Ib. I had rather suffer pluralitie of wiues than diuorce 7. And as for the effects of Luthers new doctrin Erasmus Epist ad Vultur saith thus Bring me one whome this Gospel of Luther hath of a glutton made sober of feirce mild Luthers vvicked faith of couetous liberall of an ill speaker wel spoken of vnchaste shamefast I can shew them many who are made worse than they were Sleidan lib. 6 fol. 83 To this Feild lib. 3. of the Church cap. 8. findeth no better answer than to say thus Erasmus was variable and inconstant Caluin But by his leaue otherwise iudged Fox of Erasmus whē he placed him in his Calendar for a Cōfessor otherwise D. Reinolds whē in his Confer p. 152. Luther he termeth Erasmus a man of excellent iudgment p. 155. Men seuē times vvorse vvhen they are Protestants than before a plaine wel meaning man And for his iudgment of the Lutherās maners Feild cā not shew that Erasmus was various But what wil he say to Caluin who admonit vlt. ad VVestphal writeth that Lutherans haue not one iot of honest shamefastnes are brutish men make no account of the iudgment of men or angels What wil he say to Luther him self who 5. Galat. fol. 252. writeth that his followers are seuen times worse vnder the name of Christian libertie than they were vnder the Pope And fol. 285. This saith he is the lot of the new Gospel that when it is preached men begin to spoile to rob By Protestancie men grovv out of kind to steal and to beguile To be brief men seene sodenly to grow out of kind and to be transformed into cruel beasts And much more he hath of the like sorte fol. 27. 286. 39. 252. And who will see more of the wicked effects of Luthers Gospel may read Schusselb lib. 2. Caluin theolog Iezler de bello Eucharist Feuardent in 2. Iren. cap. 9. And also Luther postil supra dom 1. aduentus Smidelin Cant. 4. in 21. Luc. wigand de malis German Bulling conc Brent Caluin de scand and serm 10. and 11. in epist ad Ephes. Muscul L. de Prophet cant 4 de planetis Here I will add a litle of the increase of ill life in England since Protestantisme entred 8. King Henrie after he had admitted one point of Protestancie to wit the denial of the Popes supremacie and permitted the Bible to be read in English in his oration to the Parlament in Fox pag. 1124. telleth the effects therof in these words I am very sorie to hear and know how vnreuerently that iewel the word of God is rymed Effects of Protestancie in K. Henrie 8. daies sung and iangled in euerie alehousse and tauerne contrarie to the true meaning and doctrin of the same And yet I am as much sorie that the Readers of the same follow it in doing so faintly and coldly For of this I am sure that charitie was neuer so faint amongst you and vertuous and godly liuing was neuer les vsed God neuer les reuerenced than after Protestantisme entred Fruits of Protestancie in K. Edvvard time nor God him selfe amongst Christians was neuer les reuerenced honored and serued Thus King Henry of the effects of Protestancy in his