such as are voluntarie professors of the faith but yet so to be esteemed because for Christ that is Christ was among them sought to be slaine Thirdly the scripture it selfe thus farre confirmeth the point in that the Prophet Ieremie is alleadged cap. 31. Rahel weeping for hir children Shaddowing thereby the Church of God mourning as a desolate widdow for those that she bare vnto God For so the verse following doth minister comfort Thus saith the Lord. Refraine thy voice from weeping and thine eyes from teares for thy worke shall be rewarded saith the Lord. As for that our Church calleth them Martyrs which seemeth to be some mens grieuance because Herods sonne was then slaine is no deniall of the name of Martyrs to the others the children of the faithfull in Bethlehem For if any were it was sufficient Voluntate actu vt S. Stephan voluntate non actu Iohannes Actu nō voluntate vt in nocentes Bernar serm de Inno Cutus vice suppleuit quod deerat voluntatis Ibid. and that some were the allegations before proue sufficiently So needlesse are some mens peremptories they send foorth to wound this truth like Herod his executioners to kill those little ones that so he might be sure to put Christ to death To conclude this point That difference of Martyrs our Church alloweth of Some are Martyrs in will and act that is both suffer and are willing to it so Saint Stephen was some in will ready co dye though happily they dye not so Iohn the Euangelist Some in act not in will that is they can but suffer and doe though they haue no will nor vnderstanding to know what they doe so did these infants in whom what was wanting to their will Christ gratiously supplied 2. It affirmeth that Faith and Repentance are required of infants that are to be Baptized And that they performe the same by their Suerties Two branches in this exception In paruulis qui baptizantur sunt qui negāt omnem actionē et operationem spiritus sancti Chem. de bapt Hic dico quod omnes dicunt aliena fide eorū qui offerūs eos paruulis succurri c. Luther de captiv Babylon Sicut verbum Dei potens est dum sonat etiā impis cor immutare quod non minus est surdum incapax quam vllus paruulus Ibid. The first of these against such as thinke God worketh not at all by his holy spirit in children baptized The Catechisme not meaning that they haue au actuall faith namely a féeling that they doe then beléeue for so they doe not that they liue yet they doe liue But they beléeue that is they haue the spirit of faith and repentance As for the second branch namely that they performe faith and repentance by their sureties is to be vnderstood of that present profession and promise then made whereby the God-children are bound as effectually in baptisme as if themselues were then presently able and did actually beléeue Luther disputing of this point Here I say as all else doe that children are succoured by the faith of others that offer them to Baptisme c. Againe afterwards As the word of God is mightie when it soundeth able to change euen the hart of a wicked man which is no lesse deafe and vncapable then any childe so by the prayer of the Church offring the childe in baptisme the little one is clenfed changed and renued by faith infused into it But for answere to the doubts herein looke the first part cap. 30. pag. 173. c. 3. That children Baptised haue all things necessarie vnto saluation and that they are vndoubtedly saued No more vntruth then that of the Homilie That infants being baptized and dying in their infancie are by his sacrifice washed from their sinnes brought to Gods fauour and made his children Homil. saluation of makind Perkins on the Creed pag 25. and inheritors of his kingdome of heauen homily of the saluation of mankind only by Christ c. No more vntruth then that which Master Perkins writeth That infants dying in their infancie and therefore wanting actuall faith which none can haue without knowledge of Gods will are no doubt saued by some other speciall working of the spirit vnknowne to vs. But an argument to prooue this Rubricke true may be thus briefly framed To whom the promise is made Act. 2.39 how God will be their God they are vndoubtedly saued But to our children baptised the promise is made Therefore our children baptised are vndoubtedly saued But hereof sée at large part 1. cap. 25. pag. 165. 166. 4. Vntruth That we haue a sure and certaine hope of euery one to be buried that he shall rise againe to euerlasting life We are not required by the booke of common praier to haue a sure and certaine hope of euery one to be buried because not of euery notorious impenitent malefactor cut off by law or a murtherer of himselse or dying excommunicate all which are buried but of euery one liuing dying in the fellowship of Christ his Church professing the same faith pertaking the same Sacraments of whom we hope the best but no farder nor otherwise then thorough Iesus Christ for in the buriall we professe that to be the bond of our hope If any minister be sure to the contrarie discretion may be vsed which we hold safest when it is with direction from the Bishop as in such cases of doubt the Booke well prescribeth Sée more part 2. cap. 1. 5. Vntruth That nothing is ordained by it to be reade in Gods seruice but the very pure word of God the holy Scriptures or that which is vndoubtedly grounded vpon the same No vntruth Because there are left out as the preface of the Booke sheweth many things whereof some be vntrue some vaine and superstitious in consideration whereof this sentence prefixed there followeth Nothing is ordained to be reade but c. And for any instance is giuen to the contrarie it is but their idle surmise 6. That in the course of reading appointed so much as possibly may be the reading of the holy Scripture is so set forth that all things shall be done in order without breaking of one peece from another It is no breaking of one peece from another to read chapter after Chapter as time shall serue the Minister or Church doth see good that so the whole Bible or the greatest part thereof may be read ouer once in the yeare But the preface calleth that breaking one peece from another when vncertaine stories legends Responds verses vaine repetitions commemorations and smodales come betweene so that commonly in the beginning of a booke to be read three or foure chapters were read and no more at all And therefore no vntruth in those words prefixed but in them that doe purposely misconstrue Ratio quarta That it containeth in it doubtfull matters 1. Doubt 1. It affirmeth that there are Archangels and that Michaell is
bondage Wee are wisely to consider the drift of a place where or when a sentence is cited or left out and accordingly wee must tudge Math. 19.17 Wilâ—on our Sausour teacheth the young man the commaundements he pauseth on the ducles of the second table not mentioning the first so the Apostle Rom. 13. Rom. 13.9 not corrupting or disgracing the scriptures thereby but teaching vs by their example to stay vpon that which we hold most needfull and omit some other as not so pertinent at that tyme. The like is done in this place here alledged I brought thee out of the land of Egypt c. They are the wordes onely of a preface not of the commaundement and their purpose is that penned that part of the communion Booke to propose vnto the people not the whole chapter of Exodus but onely somuch as are the particular commaundements And therefore intending that principally as also to helpe young memories are to be thought faâ—re from doing ought which may argue a corrupt translation or anie way bee disgracefull to the scriptures 5. In the epistle on the fifth sunday after the Epiphanie these wordes are left out Holie and beloued Colloss 3.12 others call the leauing out of these wordes A gelding of the Scriptures This dealing with our communion book is no better theÌ„ that of the Cardinal Doctor Eureux with the Lord Plessis Iuciting places out of the auncient fathers the Lord Plessie desirous to be liuer that wherefore he quotes the authoritie sometimes leaues out halfe a sentence more or lesse not that he would corrupt the sense which he then avoucheth it for nor but that there may be vse of it in due place but at that time for that purpose somuch no more was then needfull The like may be said for the last this particular here alledged For neither the whole 20. cap. of Exod. nor the third to the Colloss are appointed to be read quite out but onely somuch by derectioÌ„ as the maÌ„ner is In the first the author God spake these words then the coÌ„mandements which because the Church speciallie intended therefore omitteth that other And so it may bee saide for this appellation holie and beloued which more significantlie are in other places of scripture expressed and the wordes here vsed As the elect of God the translator held inough to intreate them by All which the minister may do because his principall aime is videlicet to exhorte to put on tender mercic and forgiuing one another and so sparing those communia as Erasmus calleth them driues vnto points which are more necessarie for the Church of God to learne Beside it is not vnknowne that diuerse translations follow diuerse copies whence ariseth diuersitie or some such small difference But to bee short whither read or not reade no corruption either way For the worde elect necessarilie implyeth the other because if elect then holie and beloued And therefor no meaning was there to geld the scriptures though some please so to speake intermes neither fitting the dignitie of their persons who write thus nor the maiestie of the sacred argument whereof they intreat nor the truth of the cause which they vndertake to defend For the vigor and strength of the Apostles currant is not in the titles which come in by the way but wholie in the maine exhortation which he earnestlie presseth The holie scriptures are disgraced by putting to of wordes So they bee indeede if such wordes as the analogie of faith and of the place will not beare Otherwise many translations Chaldee Syriack Arabick haue their commendations and it is but their due as might bee seene by many allegations but that we feare to be troublesome It falleth out very often that supply must be had when the originall can beare the want but the translation will not But doe wee a while ex amin the particulars 1. Three whole verses are put in Psalme 14. Our Church doth so reade the 14. Psalme with those additions because so alledged by Saint Paul and placed together in the third to the Romans Read more Part 1. cap. 9. Pag 95. 2. A whole verse in the end of Psal 15. There is no such thing 3. This word O added corupteth the text by applying that to Iacob as spoken of him which belongeth to God Psal 24.6 The Hebrew is word for word thus verbatim and no other This is the generation of them that seeke him of them that séeke thy face Iacob Where the figure Apostrophe makes this O be put in because the speech turneth from the third person to the second But whether this O be exprefied or omitted the true sense is nothing hindred and the translation answerable to the Hebrew is thy face Iacob which some fill vp for more plainenesse with these particles O Iacob or in Iacob or this is Iacob Musculus Geneua Tremel or the generation Iacob all expletiuely making vp the sentence with some one word or other wherein because he that aduentureth least may be thought to doe best being vpon an aduenture to adde any thing for explication the translators taking neither fiue sillables Generation nor a sillable In but as little as they could euen a letter since euery one put in somewhat they attempted this little without danger at all So then the Interpreters of this verse vnderstand by Iacob either his God or his children after the promisse For his God and so it is rendred thus This is the generation of them that seeke him of them that seeke thy face Iacob that is the God of Iacob For his generation after him taking the word Iacob nominatiuely vocatiuely or epiphonematically Nominatiuely by way of explication This is the generation of them c. this is Iacob vocatiuely by appellation calling to Iacob or epiphonematically by way of a shout or cry with an acclamatorie demonstration O This is Iacob the generation of them that seeke him of them that seeke thy face Now though the first and last of these intend the same sense yet our translators in this ambiguitie thought it safest not to venture too much and therefore put in with the least as we may obserue in this comparison which so little as it is stands sufficient to preserue the truth of this interpretation and in nothing deserueth to be challenged but they rather that doe thus complaine But should we graunt that spoken of Iacob which belongeth vnto God EuaÌ„gelicta ausus est Propheta verba ad Deâ— transferre personam Hâ—eron ad Pammach yet no corruption is it of the Text For it is vsuall to put one person for another and to apply that to God which was first intended of some other as lerom noteth those words Zachar. 13.7 Smite the sheaperd which words of the Prophet the Euangelist is bold to translate to the person of God And shall we call this a corruption 4. And said Damoisell arise Math. 9.25 Here is a corrupt translation of Scriptures by putting to these
Therefore it becommeth vs to bee wise that wee giue not ouer our hope as long as anie hope may posiblie bee conceiued 4. This wickednesse malice desperate wickednesse must bee euident not surmised onely but apparant certainely apparant not by guesses but vppon sufficient warrant for so it is when God in his worde giueth expresse directioÌ„ Al which if the minister make conscience are so dangerous pointes and so nicelie set as hee will not easilie bee wrought from a publicke course established Si deus iniqâ—â—â—â— scelestis parcendo â—isque vitam largiendo c. August epist. 54 VtruÌ„ faciant quod promittuÌ„t incerti sumus c. Ibid. Fratres nostri sunt permoti profunditate quastionis sed regi debuerunt gubernaculo authoritatis August de verb. Apost serm 14. For if God in sparing wicked and vile persons giue them life yea manie of them whome hee well knoweth wil neuer repent how much more should wee hee mercifull towardes them that peraduenture promisse amendment and whether they make good their word or noe wee cannot tell In pointes of greater difficultie then anie wee now handle Saint Austin aduertiseth those of his time Our brethren sayeth hée are verie much mooned with profoundnes of questions in this kinde who shoulde if they did regarde their duetie bee gouerned by them that sit at the sterne of authorytie But wee may se to what passe men are now come our â—ritickes and graund censurers meddle with noe small thinges but the verie heigh of all as children their estate at their entrance to the graue buried by baptisme and elders at their going into the graue to bee laide vppe in the earth one comming into the worlde the other going out asoording neither one nor other a good worde noe not so much as the â—â—ne of brethren deare brethren A mariull it is that Deut. 29.29 Deut. 29 29 Forbids vs to hope well because election is the Lords secret as if it did not condenme vs aswell for suspecting the worst All the good commeth by such barbarous rude sanadge opinions iâ— it spreadeth strange discipline â—â—wens outward behauiour that as if they had forgotten all humanitie scarce yeelde now adayes a kinde salutation of God speede or God deen Turkes and infidels doe not thus whose manner as our merchants know is Alech salem Illiric clauis Scrip. verb. Pax. whereunto the murswere is valich sas lem To the peace and to the peale The reason of this by course among some with vs ariseth from hence For what knowe they whither hee bee a brother or sister what knowe they where about hee goeth and whither hee will For ought they can tell hée may goe kill steale breake vppon some house So that by this blinde reason it may seeme should anie of this refined straternitie suffer in bondes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. Pet. 4 15. and bée cast into prison as an euill doer or a busie bodie an other honest well meaning man heareing of it woulde in the bowels of his christian tender affection pittie him much after this fashion Sure lie such a one in prison I holde him a verie godly man and one I dare say will change his opinion And let others vpon what ground I know not be offended with him I hold him the deare child of God a brother in Christ a deare brother and in sure and certaine hope of his comming foorth dare pawne all I am worth and doe ingage my selfe with all thankfulnesse for inlarging his libertie All this said One should presently cast him this their position in Diuinitie for a chokepeare It is more then you know And speake no more then you know A good Christian must proue his sayings and doings out of Gods word you cannot iustifie this your hope in Scripture it speakes to the contrary Secret things belong vnto the Lord. This is not reuealed For it is a contingent It may be so and it may not be so De contingenti bus nemo nisi Deut. In a point so doubtfull as another mans arbitrarie will dare you tell vs of asure and certaine hope you haue concerning him You are farre wide and your iudgement is too peremptorie A strange reproofe a man may say this is and yet as strange as it is the premisses are theirs that obiect against the Communion Booke we put but minors to them and in the applycation make the absurditie of their doctrine more manifestly appeare Thus much by the way In a word for a mans last end he stands and falls to the Lord. As for vs at his buriall we come foorth as his brethren not as his iudges Remember we what S. Austin hath Erogatorem me posuit deus non exactorem ser 164. The Lord appointeth me to lay out not to call in And therefore our care must be to doe that wherefore we come namely in a decent manner to bury the dead and to iudge charitablie as in the Booke is ordained rather then peremptorilie to crosse it as some would Kéepe we to our direction vnlesse we know the contrarie and be we of a sure ground that we know the contrary It nourisheth Origens error that saith All shall be saued It doth in déede as much Psalm 77.9 as Psal 77. where the Prophet demaundeth Hath God forgot to be mercifull Hath he shut vp his tender mercies in displeasure Rom. 11.32 or that Rom. 11. He hath shut vp all in vnbeliefe that he might haue mercie on all or that 1. Cor. 4. Judge nothing before the time 1 Cor 4.5 c. and then shall euery man haue praise of God All which places as they are not to be spunged out of Canonicall scripture because Origen deriued his error thence neither is their cause for this though it so séeme in their corrupt vnderstanding whose fault it is wresting it as the vnlearned and vnstable abused diuerse sentences in the writings of Saint Paul 2 Pet 3 16 This is as it is in Esay 5. to call good euill and euill good Are all subiect to the woe there denounced by the Prophet Vsis hoe venit omnibus coÌ„mis â—niter Muscul in Isay c 5 20 that of ignorance and infirmitie speake what they thinke though by mispersuasion seduced Are all vnder a curse that sometimes raise vp their voice like a trumpet bidding battell to sinne and yet anone after sound a retreit and call for a parlie hauing chid and chid roundly change their note and wrap vp their dose in a sugarswéete with some sentence as this But we are perswaded better things of you and such as accompany saluation though we thus speake Spake he of a reproofe a curse and burning and yet makes vp his period with But we are perswaded Heb. 6.9 c. When many times God he knoweth the teachers perswasion had néede be strong for in experience else they will soone find the contrarie And shall any one twit them with this of the Prophet Isay that they
wine vpon a materiall altar for the quick and dead Isay 61.6 1. Pet 2.5 Apoc. 5.10 Els in a borrowed speech by way of allusion to the legall rites it doth no way derogate For the holie ghost witnesseth accordingly as was prophesied by Esay we are a roial priesthood vnto God to offer vp spirituall sacrifices So is euerie godlie man and woman a Priest but this is nothing to the minister True also it is Euerie godlie man and woman is a Priest in the common receiued sence as the prophet speakes Isay 61. yee shal be named the Priests of the Lord yet from among them he will take out some more speciallie to bee Priests and Leuites Isay 61.6.66.21 that is such as in the ministerie of the Gospell should be distinguished both from the people and from themselues as were the Priest and Luites For though the people offer vp the calues of their lips and their bodies a liuing reasonable sacrifice yet in two respects els for distinction sake the minister may haue that name rather then the people First because they offer vp for themselues distinctly a part but he in publicke by vertue of his office both for himselfe and for them in the name of the congregation standing vp before the Lord and offering their prayers in that onely attonement Christ Iesus they in the meane while accompanying him with sighs and grones sealing vp euery petition with a still silent but effectuall Amen Secondly he ministreth in holie things the word and sacraments which ministration Saint Paul calleth by the name of one imploied in a sacred businesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 15.16 Pastores quo sensu sacerdotes dicantur Feguernek Crisost 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Episcopi prasbyters propriè appellaÌ„tur sacerdotes Aug de ciuit dei lib. 20 cap 10 vetustissima coÌ„ suetudo fuit in ecclesia christiana vt ministrâ— vocareÌ„sur sacerdotes Neque egomultum moror nomina modo de rebus conueniat Zanch. deredeÌ„p lib. 1 c. 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Kirck Church for the word is a sacrificing knife in the hand of his minister by which our flesh is killed and offered vp a â—â—ring sacrifice vnto God Where Peguer nekinus in his promtuarie vpoÌ„ Marlorat saieth in the title of the pastor In which sense Pastors are called sacrificers or ministring in holie things And it may be thought S. Chrisost so meant intituling six books by that name Hierosune S. Austin writing that Bishops and Priests are now properlie called sacerdotall Priests Zanchius saieth in the 4. commaundement It was a most auncient custome in the church of christ that the ministers of the word sacrameÌ„ts should be called sacerdotall Priests because ministers of sacred things Nor doe I much contend about names so we did agrece in the thinges themselues To giue this new name to the ministers of the Gospel is to crosse reiect the wisdome of God who hath giueÌ„ so many fit names to his in his word It is no new name but the old and the verie same which the worde of God giueth them For it is Priest whose name is presbuteros and so translated into our tongue as other words Bible Euangilest Baptisme Church and the like which retaine the foot-print of their originall And could wee redeeme the wrong it hath receiued in being put to interpret the office of a popish sacrificer our labour should be imployed herein but we are not to coÌ„maund words As for other naturall english Elder auncieÌ„t senâ—or whereof some are no more english theÌ„ this the reason why we vse them not is because they are made triuial and common in other trifling pelting and prophane occasions So as what in regarde thereof as also for 〈◊〉 riuation whence this worde is taken and the allusion it hath by way of similitude to them in the law as we generallie among vs receiue it in our church not to be misliked nor so contentiously to be imrupned more then that word Sunday among the beatheÌ„ which name we retaine vnderstanding not that Sun in the firmameÌ„t though Pagans do but our Lord the sun of righteousnesse to whose honour wee obserue it LinguaÌ„ teneat mentem corrigat August And therefore as S. Austin in another case about the worde free will Let him retainethe worde and correct his minde If any be popishlie affected it is not the worde but their iudgement that needeth reformation Chap. 7. Almightie God which hast giuen vs thine onely begotten Sonne and this day to be borne of a pure Virgin And by a rubricke The Minister must â—e these words seuen daies following affirming that in euery of these seuen daies Christ was borne This is against the plaine manifest truth of the Scripture For Christ had his naturall birth in one onely day THis Collect readâ—â—â— Christnâ—â—â— day is here onely named but through the â—â—des thereof another in the time of the Commuâ—â—ion appointed for the same purpose a third for Innocents say a faineth for Whitsunday all wounded atâ—â—â—â—â—â—ith the flourish of a pen so as how euer â—â—arily some make shew to mislike but this one they doe what lyeth in them condemne the vse of the rest For they all aime aâ— one marke on Christmas day and the Sunday sorts wing there are two Collects â—â—ther of them so one purpose Among the Epistles and Gospels this Almighty God which hast giuen vs thy onely begotten Sonne to take our nature vpon him and this day to be borne of a pure Virgin graunt that we being regenerabe and made thy Children by adoption may dayly be â—â—â—ued by thy holy spirit c. Againe at the Communion proper prefaces vpon Christmas day and scuen daies after Because thou didst giue Iesus Christ thy only Son to be born as this day for vs who by the operation of the holy Ghost was made very man of the substance of the Virgin c. On Innocents day thus Almightie God whose praise this day the young Innocents thy witnesses c On the Purification of the Virgin Almightie c. As thy onely begotten Sonne was this day presented in the Temple in the substance of our flesh On Whitsunday and seuen daies after the Collects are two One thus God which as vpon this day bast taught the harts of thy faithfull c. Againe in the preface through Iesus Christ our Lord according to whose most true promise the holy Ghost came downe this day from headen with a sudden great sound c. Where that on Whitsunday interpreteth what is meant not precisely determining the very day whereon Christ was borne solemnized by the Innocents presented in the Temple sent forth his holy spirits for that neither the Church proposeth nor if she did can she so well determine but about some such time of the yeare and therefore in one of the Prefaces it is God which as vpon this day And that in common English is much about that time Now that a thing done one day many
that it did signifie and foreshew how the Sonne of God leauing his Father c. Againe A most sweete Image of mans redemption is proposed in Wedlocke and what can any more louely picture set out vnto vs Dulcis sima ìmago redeÌ„ptionis ext in ipso coniugio proposita quasua â—icr picturaetc Ibid. Non dubium est ceniugrum inec clesia semper fuisse mysteriuÌ„ coâ—iunction is christi eccle sie Ibid. pag. 256. calum 2. as when couples in Mariage kindly loue one another Anone after Out of doubt Marriage in the Church hath alway beene the misterie of the coniunction of Christ and his Church Thus farre Chemnitius and others 〈◊〉 agréeable to our Communion Booke and our Communion Booke to them and they and it conformable to the truth Wherefore we returne these our opponents their own language It is neither contrarie nor directly contrarie to the word of God but agréeable yea very agréeable to Scripture as the obiection reciteth the words namely that God hath consecrated the state of Matrimonie to an excellent mysterie that is he hath applyed Matrimonie to represent signifie and shadow out vnto man the mysticall vnion twixt Christ and his Church But thus much be spoken of this exception Chap. 18. Of the Letanie From fornication and all other deadly sins This maintaineth that Popish distinction of deadly and veniall sinnes Whereas all sinnes are deadly SEe men afraide of their owne shadow What one syllable inforceth this interpretation Doth it not rather implie fornication to ve a deadly sinne being included with the copulatiue and the vniuersall note of all And all other deadly sinner Might such â—â—ris spirits as these haue had a King at Saint Iames how would they haue told him his owne for reckoning fornication with things of indifferent nature Acts. 15.20 as blood strangled and the like that so busilie except against this being as it is mentioned here amongst hainous and grieuous sinnes As for the word mortall and veniall our prayers intertaine not the vse of them and if they did no Church misliketh them rightly vnderstood because all sinnes are pardonable to the Elect Consess Boâ—eÌ„ et Saxon sect 9 and to the reprobate no sinne euen the least but is damnable Not but that al in their own nature deserue death which we affirme and the Papist denieth So as could we restore the word to it wonted and safe signification it might be vsed as well as remissible and irremissible For both tend to the same effect in our Churches construction and therefore this wrangling about words might haue béene spared but then could not such fond obiections haue béene so fréely vented Chap. 19. Of suddaine death The Letanie teacheth the people to pray against suddaine death This clause would be reformed for we are not to pray against it IT is not iustly offensiue to pray against suddaine death The argument to prooue so much may be this which followeth That which is simply euill in it selfe and respectiuely in regard of our selues and others may well be prayed against But so is suddaine death therefore suddaine death may be prayed against The maior is euidently true and needeth no proofe All the doubt is in the minor which was this but suddaine death is euill simply in it selfe and respectiuely inregard of our selues and others The proofe whereof is thus Euill in it selfe because an enemy to life which man beast flye from All 〈◊〉 desire their being and God neuer created death It came paâ—â—ly through the 〈◊〉 of the diuell who lyed vnto man saying yee shall not die partly through the transgression of Adam and partly through the wrath of God rendring it as a due recompence vpâ—n mans head for sinne This Saint Paul nameth an enemie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. Cor. 15.26 Galath 3.13 1. Cor. 15. The last enemie that shall be subdued is death Againe a second proofe may be thus That which is Galath 3. of it selfe a part of the curse and malediction of the law is euill simply in it selfe But death is a part of the curse and malediction of the law therefore death is of it selfe simply euill It must be notes for feare of mistaking All this while we doe not question what death is by aâ—â—ident in respect of Jesus Christ Ex accidentiâ— by whom it is a wicket or entrance into glory for that is no thanke to death neither doe we question what it is in respect of Gods children who die Rom. 8.28 For to them all things fall out for the best So persecution famine the sword in Gods children are blessed yet no man but praieth against them because we take a view of them and of death as in it selfe it is presented Secondly death is euill respectiuely in regard of our selues and others first of our selues that indure it thus farre it may be thought an euill because this good commeth by a lay urable and treatable dissolution our selues are better able to set all things in order towards God and the world towardes God there is time to bethinke our selues in better earnest then we did before of his power iustice mercie c. toward the world finding the deceaueablenesse thereof in all her flitting pleasures which vpon our experience we see then come to an ende At that time others present that suruiue vs are more touched and haue a more tender feeling of things then said or done For the words of a dying man are better fastned in the remembrance of them that stand by when the riches of Gods mercy are seene in a holy mortified meditation when appeareth how ready a man is to die how willing and with what patience fitted contentedly induring the griefes of this mortall life till his changing shall come All which obseruations beneficial to others beside a many more are drowned and swallowed-vp in a mans suddaine death Moreouer heathen men and such as haue beene giuen to a reprobate sense are content to be gone in all hast not caring so they be rid of a present painâ— This made tyrants strangely expertenced in deuising exquisite tormetâ— to singer a manâ— death and all to multiply his paines Now therefore became it so naturasly answereth our owne desire we haue the more cause to suspect it and feare running as it doth 〈◊〉 the channell of our cortupt sense and sensualâ— affections A farder argument to prooue what the Letanie vseth in this point may be the generall opinion which men haue of it yea the best men are amased when it hapnesh to any friend of theirs And howsoeuer we must stand all content if it come yet no man but his harts wish is he might not fall vnder voubtfull construction which all are subiect vnto that on a suddaine are taken hence In the Books of Genesis we reade that when Iacob made an ende of giuing charge to his Sunnes he plucked vp his seete into the bed Gen. 49.33 Non est prater rationem quod ist
battologie when we ouer earnestly busie our selues in praying speciallie for things not profitable but trifles as riches honors and the like Now vnlesse spirituall graces such as accompanie saluation and temporall blessings in their commendable furderance to sanctification goe for trifles an humble and penitent heart cannot denie their assent to this multiplyed petition in the letanie Wherefore such must take heede that they grieue not the holy Ghost and lesse it is not to wrest of purpose the holie scriptures from that natural sense wherein they are penned Be it in weaknesse of knowledge that some thus eagerlie reproch the burden and fall of our praiers when thus burdened and humbled wee doe multiply the same request yet wee intreat the Christian reader so oft as his eye lighteth vpon these errors of theirs that euer and anon as hee commeth to a new straine that his heart in silence will let fall some such request to Godward as this Lord forgiue them their ignorance and though they for whom such prayer is thinke it an idle affirmation yet our request is that whosoeuer shall read these criticall demurie his loue will not be sparing to say it and to say it for them Lord forgiue them they know not what they accuse Chap. 21. The booke hath three orders of ministers of the worde sacraments against the worde which hath but one WHat one sillable in Gods worde for this one order or how can it bee an order if but one When allegation shal be forced to appeare in scriptures more particular answer shal be then made Plaine it is in the new testament whence the names wee vse are taken euident also it is in the after histories Tertullian thus Quum ipsi authores idest ipsidiaconi praes biters et episco pi fugiunt quomodo laicus etc Tertull. in fuga Quatuor genera capituÌ„suÌ„t in ecclesia episcopo rum praesbytero rum diaconoruÌ„ fidelium Optat lib. 2. Quam mulâ—os episcoposoptimos viros sanctsssimosque cognoui quam multos praesbyteros quam multos diaconos huiusmodi ministros diuinorum sacramentorum Aug. de moribus eccles lib. 1. cap. 32. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Socrat lib. 1. c. 2 Varios in ecclesia esse ordines ministrorum aliosesse diaconos aliot praesbyteros aâ—ios episcopot quibus institutio populi Confes Anglic. artic 5. when the principles themselues namely the Deacons Presbiters and Bishops flye how shall a lay man forbeare flying When the leaders runne away which of the souldiers stand Optatus writeth distinctlie of them by name as our church doth but of manie places wee will alledge this one There are 4. sorts of persons in the church Bishops Presbiters Deacons and the faithfull Augustin more expreslie How many Bishops most excellent and holie men haue I knowen how manie Presbiters how manie Deacons and of this sort ministers of the worde and diuine sacraments Socrates speaking of the times wherein Paphnutius liued and withall intreating of those whome wee now mention Consecrated persons I meane saieth he those that are Bishops Presbiters and Deacons The apologie of our owne church as it is set downe in the harmonie of Confession towardes the latter end by way of supply of such thinges as thorough forgetfulnes might seeme to bee omitted mentioneth diuerse orders of ministers in the church Some are Deacons others Pastors some are Bishoppes to whome the institution and care is committed In the articles whereunto by act of Parliament euerie minister at his ordination doth subscribe hee doth accept of thee 32. and 35. Which in effect require as much Compare the obiection and anie of the authorities now cited whither of the anncient fathers or of our Church at these times and what argument is there thinke you They say diuerse this admits but one If diuerse then not one onely and if onely one then not diuerse But their ioynt consent one with another and the iudgement of our church must bee of more prize with vs then any straglers obstinate contradition Booke of Consecration Chap. 22. The Bishop saieth to the new made minister receiue the holie Ghost It is great presumption c. PResumption it is yea great presumption to doe what episcopall dignitie admitteth but resisting of authoritie and re fusall of obedience to wholsome lawes is no presumption in the world no not a little much lesse any great presumptioÌ„ for a prickeard saucines is no presumption more then the reprobate Angels sinne was noe aposticie It is presumption for our spirituall fathers in God to take what the Lord afordeth them but no presumption for these venturously to challendge what vpon good warrant is commendablie performed It is great presumption that the Bishop will offer to giue that which is not in his owne power yea that which God alone can doe This is against God and his worde PresumptioÌ„ great or smal more or lesse if they cal this their speach is fearefullie pitched in dangerous places and may soone tilt vnlesse a helping hand support with the soonest For in the extent of these wordes as they sound at their first hearing what is there in mans power to giue or what is it he hath not receiued if he haue receiued why then are these wordes as implying ought in his power This iealous interpreting of words well deliuered is a copie they set vs. Shall Moses doe ought in thinges pertaining to his office and will not 3. brethren in euill Corah Dathan Abiram say he doth that which is not in his power or it is more then he can doe and he taketh too much vpon him Why then this captiousnesse is a stale slaunder and a wonder it is that being readie to dote thorough time it hath so much as a snag or stump to fasten vpon episcopall authoritie To receiue the holie Ghost is to giue that which is not in anie mans power Bee it as they say he giueth that which is not in his power so euerie embassador considered as himselfe a priuate person Iohn or Thomas when he draweth articles of peace twixt nation and nation doth a thing not being in his own power but by vertue of his embassie from that great monarch from whome he is sent The power to ordaine a minister and to lay hands on him with solemne praiers vpon serious and due preexamination is no priuate action but an authoritie giuen from aboue To remit sinnes the scribes were not so blinde but they could see and say it is blasphemie for none can forgiue sinne but God onelie The peace of God was not at the 70. disciples becke yet their peace it is called Math. 9.6 Little are the Prophets in comparison of Iohn Baptist Luk. 10.6 little Iohn Babtist all the faithfull ministers of the gospel in respect of Christ yet all are called light to shine amongst a crooked generation giue light to the world Iohn Baptist a burning and a shining lamp and the prophets in their time some such whose labours the Lord
of this point in this argument A religious fast is when the duties of religion as the exercises of praier humiliation are practised in fasting A ciuil is when vpon some particular politike considerations meÌ„ abstaine froÌ„ certaine meats But our time of Lent is so intended purposed therefore a ciuill a religious fast not a superstitious vnles religioÌ„â—he superstitiâ—oÌ„ And if any shal say either opeÌ„ly in the hearing of others or secretly in his own hart but a very few that so kéep it we answer no falt in yâ— inteÌ„t of the godlie institution but if ante fault this way it is all long of such gainsaying as here is vsed And thus much be spoken to this point 7. So also doth the Custome of open pennance in the beginning of Lent the practise whereof is approued and yet the restitution of an other wished in the Commination Strange times that Collects Epistle Gospel Prayers Scripture open confessions of sinne to our owne shame and of Gods vengance to his glorie that all these sauour of superstition Were proofes as neare at hand as slaunders men would proue more and slaunder leffe The restitution of another is wished in the Commination but not repâ—grant to this nor this contrarie to Gods worde A goosle discipline the booke speaketh of which what it was in the primitiue Church and how farre foorth necessarte for these times would aske a larger discourse then that which followeth will permit Some such their was and in steede thereof this which they speake of is in vse which is the generall though not so speriall as the booke wisheth and may indeede rather bee wished then easitie accomplished Whither sinceritie in this case speake or beare a truth the truth wee speake and would haue heard is this No one sentence in that whole argument but they may subscribe to vnlesse they meane because wee come not so neare as is wished therefore wee must not come so neare as wee may and as our Church boldeth expedient 8. Because it permits anie of the Communicants to make the publike confession of sinnes which also containes apraier in the name of the rest which onelie belongeth to the minister as his speciall office he being the mouth of the people and in that case a publike person Read the answer afore part 2. cap. 12. 9. Because it containeth diuerse corrupt translations of holie scriptures by leauing out some wordes This 9. proofe is bounded vnder the generall head disgracefull as inforcing that our communion booke because it containeth diuerse corrupt translations of holie scriptures by leauing out some wordes So that their argument is to this effect That which containeth diuerse corrupt translations of holie scripture is disgracefull to scripture But our communion booke containeth diuerse corrupt translations ergo it is disgracefull This they sceme to confirme in this manner That which leaueth out diuerse wordes containeth diuerse corrupt translations of holie scripture But the Communion booke leaueth out diuerse wordes ergo the communion Booke centaineth diuerse corrupt translations and so by consequent is disgracefull to bolie scriptures How farre forth the booke doth leaue out aâ—â—e thing is our next worke vpon instance to be giuen But the question is now of this first proposition the falsehood whereof is plaine in this because many translations Chaldee Syriacke Arabick yea the Greeke it selfe of the old testament which the Apostles receiued in their time all these in diuerse places leaue out some wordes as to particularise would clogge the margent yet neuer reade wee that either the Apostles or Mauter Iunius and Tremellius accounted these translations disgracefull to holie scripture neither would these two latter haue imployed so much time in translating the Chaldee Syriacke Arabick if they had so thought But proceede wee to the Instances 1 These wordes are left out Higaion Selah and all the titles of the Psalmes Higaion Selah in the 9. Psalme verse 17. the Psalter in the Communion booke mentioneth not because not translated For they are hebrue wordes originallie And as good omitted as not vnderstood The most learned and auncientest that know their own hebrue tongue know not what to say herein and therefore no shame for our countrimen to confesse their ignorance 2. other Churches did follow this course at what time the Psalmes were first translated 3. they that doe render the words doe not render all nor doe they make any necessarie certaine construction 4. Doctissimiviri obseruant titu lis Psalmorum nonesse temerè fidendum Hieron Guadal in Osean praefat pag. 8. Dum in anbiguo adbuc resest properandum videtur ad certa Felin praefat in Psam the papist himselfe is not so blind but be seeth and seing ingenuously confesseth that verie learned men doe obserue that wee may not ouer hastilie trust the titles of the Psalmes Wherefore not hacking nor sticking vpon doubtfull and disputable titles not of the substance of the Psaimes themselues they heldit as Felinuts saieth wisdome to hasten presently to the Psalmes themselues where all things were and are plentifull and certaine But more of this Par. 1. chap. 24. Pag 133. 2. Because it leaueth out the conclusion after the 72. Psalme and these wordes prayse yee the Lord at least 17. times The conclusion of the 22. Psalme is Let all the earth be filled with his glorie so be it so be it or as our Communion book hath Let all the earth be filled with his maiestie A men A men And therfeore false where they say it is left out After the Psal fullie finished there is in a smaller letter put to in other bookes Here end the praiers of Daniá the son of I shai which because other Psalmes follow as the 101.108.109 c. all carrying the titles of the Psalmes of Dauid made our translators to forbeare as it seen eth in respect of the weake least hereby they should mistake being no part of Dauids Psalme as in deed it is not but added by some other as the learned acknowledge whither Salomon or some els that put the Psalmes together into one whole volume Of the words Prayse ye the Lord read before part 1. cap. 24. Pag. 134 3. The conclusion of the Lordes praier is left out euery where thos rough the seruice after the popish manner It was left out by she fathers of the westerne Church before poperie was hatcht And the reason here of wee haue touched in the 1. part cap. 25. Whereunto this may bee added The latin Church vsed it not in the forme of prayer because it is not a petition Doctor Fulk prefac to the Reader 38. but acknowledgeing of the power and glory of God to whom the petitions are directed as also because it was a thing commonly known and dayly rehearsed of euery man But here of see part 1. cap. 25. Pag. 135. 4. In the reading of the commaundewent these wordes are left out I brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of
wordes that our Deacons are called to the like office and administration vnlesse because of some changeable circumstance wee may not so write And if so then must they bee but 7. for number secondly they must be men immediately illumined by the holy spirit and no lesse measure then fulnesse of wisdome and the holy Ghost may be required of them 3. the election of them must be by the whole multitude 4. to make a correspontence throughout they must bee chosen after mens goods are sold and that the proprietie of them is lost that the Deacons may take the charge All which whole practise neither they nor wee follwing neither haue wee nor they Deacons after the example of the Apostles Otherwise if they hold these and some other pointes changeable as in deede they are it will appeare that our Deacons are likeliest to the times of the Apostles and Apostolicall men as hath beene shewed But let vs proceede 2. Because the Booke of ordination containeth some thing that is against the order that God hathordained in his Church For. 1. It seemeth to make the Lordes supper greater then baptisme and confirmation greater then either by permitting baptisme vnto the Deacons the Lords supper vnto the Priests and confirmation to the Bishop onely It seemeth and onely so seemeth For rather the contrarie may bee hereupon inferred namely that the dignitie of the sacrament depends not on the dignitie of the person For a Deacon may baptise though inferior to the other And with asmuch probabilitie it may bee argued a linnen coife is better then a veluet nightâ—cap because a seruient at law weareth the one and euery ordinarie cittizen almost weareth the other Or thus in the Presbiteries the minister distributeth the bread the elders deliuer the cup ergo they make one part of the sacrament greater then another But of this read afore 2. Is preferreth priuate prayer before publike prayer and action It is false This reproofe is sufficient where the accusation is brought without proofe It permits the Bishoppe to order Deacons alonâ— requiring no other to ioyne with him in laying on of handes which is not permitted in the ordring of the Priests The difference of their office alloweth a difference in the manner of ordination and therefore the Bishop is alone in the first in the other hee may take other ministers or Priests vnto him There is no prescript commandement in scripture to the contrarie and therefore no such aduantage is giuen this accusation as some doe imagin 3. Because in it some places of holie scripture are misapplied to the countenancing of errors for 1. Act. 6.17 is misapplyed to warrant ordination for our Deacons Wee answer first there are not so many verses in that cap. but 17. is put for 7. Againe where they say that chap. in that part beginning at that verse is misapplyed wee haue their negatiue without proofe More in that point wee see not as yet to answer 2. The Bishoppe is appointed in ordring of anie Priests or Bishoppes to vse the verie wordes Receiue the holie Ghost which Christ our sauiour vsed at the sending ferth of his Apostles They are thought the firtest words â—i the ordination of ministers because of the spiritual calling office whereunto they are disigned by the Bishop after whose words then vsed with imposition of handes as Saint Ierom witnesseth Ordinatio â—ou sâ—lum adimpre cationem vâ—cis sâ—deriam ad impositiâ—nem impleâ—ur 〈◊〉 Hinâ—â—â—â—â— in cap. 5â— Isaiâ— the ordination is complet and finished not that the Bishoppe giueth the holy Ghost or conferreth grace for as Saint Ambrose writeth so is it the iudgement of our Church Homo manum imponit Deus largitur gratiam Ambros de dignita tate sacerdâ—t cap. 5. man layeth on his handes but God giueth grace But for a more ample and full answer in this point looke before cap. 22. Wee cannot subscribe vnto the booke of homilies for these reasons Because it containeth sundrie erronius and doubtfull matters 1. The Apocrypha are ordinarilie in it called holie scriptures And the place of Tobie the 4. containing dangerous doctrine being alledged it is said That the holie Ghost teacheth in scripture This exception standeth vpon two branches The first is handled in this appendix already before 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 communi opinione Iun. de verbo Des. lib. 1. cap. 7. Rom. 6 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Metaphora na ta ex opinione rudiorum qui quicquid per se subsestis corpore um imaginantur Fisca Ibid. Lequitur in scripturis spiritus sanctus Cyp de Elemos Iun. com Bel 1.11 and in the first part cap. 10. Pag 97. The Apocryphall are called holie scripture according to the common opinion and the receiued speech not but that our Church puts a manifest difference by nameing it Apocryphall And with as great shew of argument a man might except where the Apostle calleth the power of sinne or rather sinne it selfe by name of a body Romans 6.6 taking the phrase from the opinion of the rude and simple who imagin what soeuer hath a being that the same is a bodie or bodily substance The second branch here calleth a sentence in the 4. of Tobie a doctrine which the holy Ghost teacheth in scripture Which manner of phrase the booke borroweth out of Saint Cyprian For he alledging the same quotation graceth it with this attendance The holy Ghost speaketh in scripture Which phrase and sentence Maister Iunius in his answer to Bellarus cap. 11. is farre from deeming to be dangerous that hee doth not once so much as dislike much lesse tax it howeuer now it please some to traduce it As for the interpretation of the sentence looke before part 1 cap. 12. Pag 100. 103. 2. It is said that though manslaughter was committed before yet was not the world destroied for that but for whoredome all the world a few onelie excepted was ouerflowne with water and perished These wordes are in the homilie against adulterie the third part of the sermon deliuered by way of a parenthesis shewing that the displeasure of the Lord though kindled before because of murder c. yet did not smoke out nor breake forth till the iniquitie was brim-ful then the viols of the Lord his heauy wrath were powered downe For the scope there is of that homilie in amplifying the hainousnes of adulterie and the heauinesse of the punishment intending thereby that a latter sinne added to a former brings on iudgement though God doe not as he might punish alway with the soonest So as these wordes the world was not destroyed for manslaughter but for whoredome imply not for manslaughter onely as the alone and sole cause of that vniuersall deludge vpon the earth 3. It exhorteth homilie 2. of fast after Ahabs example to turne vnfainedly to God Had the homilie intended what the instance affirmeth they who penned it did looke to the mercie of God which followed vpon Ahabs external humiliatioÌ„ and
THE SECOND AND LAST part of Reasons for Refusall of Subscription to the Booke of Common prayer vnder the hands of certaine Ministers of Deuon and Cornwall as they were exhibited by them to the right Reuerend Father in God WILLIAM COTTON Doctor of Diuinitie and Lord Bishop of Exceter As also an APPENDIX or Compendious Briefe of all other Exceptions taken by others against the Bookes of Communion Homilies and Ordination word for word as it came to the hands of an Honorable Personage VVith an ANSVVERE to both at seuerall times returned them in publike conference and in diuerse Sermons vpon occasion preached in the Cathedrall Church of Exceter by Thomas Hutton Bachiler of Diuinitie and Fellow of S. Iohns Colledge in Oxon. Fuerant hortamenta vt Deus Christus eius à populo in vnum conueniente pariter rogaretur Nullus erat primitus terror Nemo viderat virgam nemo custodiam Sola vt diximus fuerant hortamenta Optatus Lib. Tertio LONDON Printed by Iohn Windet for the Companie of Stationers 1606. To the most Reuerend father in God my very good Lord the Lord Arch bishop his Grace Primate and Metropolitan of all England MOst Reuerend in Christ my late trauiles in laboring other of my fellow brethren their godly peaceable quiet contentment in such doubts as their busie learning and too much paines hath vnnecessarily occasioned I began and withall at once thought to haue finished but since finding I haue but begun for somewhat remained and that somewhat much in their opinion whose opinions goe for articles of faith much or little such as it is I present vnto your Graces fauour May it stand with your good pleasure to take knowledge of my best affections how deepely indebted to God his Church the Kings most excellent Maiestie and your Honorable selfe for your speciall fauours done me in the prime of my studies after some few yeares spent in the Vniuersitie of Oxford I shall take it for no small comfort specially as the times now are wherein like the daies of Moses that blessed peace maker Act. 7.27 I am sure to receaue no small portion of griefe from them whose vnderstanding I labour to reconcile vnto our forme of publike praiers And were not that duetifull remembrance I haue of your auncient fauour sufficient cause as I must and doe professe it is farre more then any seruice of mine can thoroughly recompence yet your continuall long graue experience in this argument your Reuerend learned great paines heretofore in the daies of our Renowned late Queene both by preaching and writing as also in that late conference where our now dread soueraigne Lord King Iames royally to the admiration of all there present moderated the controuersies then proposed are effectuall motiues to imbolden me in the humble offer which I make of this present treatise Nor are all these the onely persuasiue though euery of them forcible inough but the eminencie of your place and highest prelacie whereunto you are now called farder exacteth of me submission of my writings because your greatest authoritie next after the Kings highnesse may in these Ecclesiasticall causes giue me best approbation VVherefore be intreated to vouchsafe your gracious acceptance of a few lines and whatsoeuer may be thought defectiue I hartily craue it may no way impeach that fuller defence with which our Church can make supplie to whose most sacred iudgement I wholy commend my selfe Now that God of power who hath so mercifully appointed the times and seasons in aduancing the throne of King Iames aboue the throne of Queene Elizabeth be blessed and praised of vs all this day and for euer So are mine and euery true harted subiect his vnfained thanks to Godward for roote and branch for our King Queene their roiall progenie with the high Court of Parliament graue Senators Reuerend Bishops Honorable Iudges our Worshipfull knights choisest Burgesses so lately so mightily so miraculously preserued to the euerlasting shame of all mischieuous traitors Nouemb. 5.1605 and to the incredible ioy of all them that truely feare God and the King More it is my thoughts conceaue in this point But remembring as I pray to God in heauen so I write to men on earth I stay my selfe for this time Humblie beseeching your Grace to pardon this my attempt and to interpret it as I vnfainedly intend it the earnest of greater in deede as the truth is of all possible thankfulnesses Your Graces in all duty Thomas Hutton To my fellow brethren the ministers of 〈…〉 Cornwall whose exceptions made against subscription follow farder to bee examined ACcording to my promise I proceed and send the rest of that answer which before was intended reuiew your grieuaÌ„ces with the seueral defence annexed It may be vpon examinatioÌ„ of what you reproue we maintaine if you spare a little time to keep repetitions with your selues and read that ouer which you did dislike you wil bee of another mind Second thoghts are better then the first 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Consider what peril may come to the Church to your selues knowing that many of your congregation did not so much admire your paines as they now heartily lament to see theÌ„ soil bestowed in vncharitablie taxing Inuidiam facitis Macario qui sialiquid asperâ—fecit pro vnitate leue viders poterit dâ—â— vâ—â— pro dissentione c. Optat. lib. 2. what the wisdome and zeale of our godlie auncients haue faithfullie penned Drawe not blessed Macarius into enuie who if he haue done anie thing sharplie for preseruation of godlie vnitie Quiduis facerâ—debuisse potiâ—â—qâ—â—m ecclesiam schismate sciâ—dâ—â—e Diony Aleâ—ad Nâ—â—at apud Hieronan Cataelo it may seeme light to the harme which commeth by needlesse opposition Anie thing you should haue done as Dionysius Alexandrinus writeth to Nouatian rather then cause a rent in the Church remembring Manus dextra prasbyter Origen homil 7. in Iosuâ— though you bee taken for right hand and be called Presbiters and seeme to preach the word of God yet if you doe any thing against the discipline of the Church Si aliquid contra â—cclesiastscam disciplâ—nam ibid. In vno consensâ— ecclesia eâ—â— cidat dexteram suam c. or rule of the Gospell the Church with one consent must cut you off being their right hand and cast you from them VVhich seuere course some you know that fauour the discipline you stand for took in places where it preuaileth against others that were contrary minded Ducto Sutr in the â—alâ—e semblaÌ„r pag. 182. For wheÌ„ one Iohn Morellie disputed in a certaine treatise that the wordes Tell the Church belonged not to the consistorie his booke was burnt and the man excommunicate Two ministers at Geneua were deposed and banished for speaking against vsurie allowed in that estate and a third was glad to flie for speaking against vnleauened bread But fearing the allegation of these examples may distast your liking of that which I write my
conclusion shal be to you with the wordes of Saint Paul to his scholler Timothie and in the same manner I rpotest before the Lord that yee striue not about words 2. Tim. 2.14 which are good for nothing but to peruert the hearers he might vnder Apostolical correctioÌ„ be it spokeÌ„ haue said which peruert the readers VVherefore intreating your care diligence to bethink your selues better then you haue done I coÌ„mend you to God to the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ whose holy spirit be with vs all Amen To the Christian Reader NOtwithstanding that my weekelie and dailie vrgent occasions scarcelie aford mee any laisure to write much specially in this kind yet because of a former promise made as also somewhat I confesse was left vnanswered I haue renewed these paines for thy sake good Reader whom I intreat if thou bee not partiall and vnlearned to become an indifferent iudge of the answere once heretofore and now againe farder tendred Would thou didst knowe how painefull and chargeable a worke it hath beene vnto mee surely then might I hope it will proue thank worthie Howsoeuer thus farre I presume of thy charitable Christian affection whereunto thou art dailie called vpon by the operation of Gods spirit in the ministrie of his worde that I shall haue thy praiers to him for mee Other recompence I looke not for and lesse thy loue cannot yeeld mee Throughout the whole argument handled in this and the former booke I haue dealt with men of some learning and grauitie to whome peraduenture in manie respects thou maiest thinke me far inferior and J think the same But to the glorie of God be it spoken the truth of the cause I vndertake herein I well know I am nothing inferior Yea did I spare my appeale to the truth for anie thing I see they are compassed with like infirmities as my selfe and others So little cause haue they or others for them to boast of their learning zeale integrity and painefulnesse which is made their crest in the worlds blason of their commendable well doing Such popular applause I alway suspected holding S. Austin his choise best if anie must needes haue such applause Toleramus illased tremimus inter â—lâ—aâ— Aug. de verb dom sâ—rm 5. yet to feare and tremble when they haue it A danger which were the lesse if the vnitie of the Church and the saints were not iniuried thereby in prizing of one to the disgrace of manie others But to leaue this to the effects better or worse which may follow vpon it I am to remember thee of one thing had like to haue escaped my memory and so peraduenture thy knowledge namely whereas in the former part of our answer I set downe the Reasons for refusal of subscription al together and afterwardes in the handling did refer thee with this watchworde See their reasons c. J haue chosen as I thinke a better course to set them and their answer ioyntly together that in seeing one thou maiest see both holding it lesse comber some to the Printer and euery way more conuenient for thy selfe Some other things there are which I would giue thee notice of but considering thou hast much to read if thou read all and I pray that thou so doe it shall not bee amisse to abridge this preface And therefore requesting thee to turne ouer a new leafe see the chapters and their contents in the Page following The Contents of the Chapters in this Booke and in the APPENDIX which APPENDIX beginneth Pag 156. and so forward continneth to the end of this Booke OF Buriall chap. 1. Pag. 1. 2. 3. 167. Praiers dare not presume chap. 2. Pag 20. 21. 182. vnworthinesse in asking chap. 3. Pag 37. â— 183. Rubricks how vnderstood chap. 4. Free from all Aduersity chap. 5. The name PRIEST chap. 6. Christ this day to be borne chap. 7 Fall into no sinne chap 8. Kneeling at the Lords supper chap. 9. Priuate Communion chap. 10. Pag 65. 172. Confirmation chap. 11. Pag 79. Confession made by anyâ—t the Communion chap. 12. Pag 97. 204. Euerie Parishioner to communicate and receiue the sacraments chap. 13. Pag 100. Faith and Repentance in persons to be baptized cap. 14. Pag 104. 166 Two sacraments generally necessarie chap. 15. Pag 107. 172. The bodie and blood of Christ chap. 16. Pag 110. Matrimonie an excellent misterie chap. 17. Pag 112. From fornication and all other deadly sinne chap. 18. Pag 114. From suddaine death chap. 19. Pag 115. Often repetition Good Lord dâ—liâ—â—r â—s chap. 20. Pag 119. Three orders of Ministers chap. 21. Pag 126. 227. Receiue the holie Ghost chap. 22. Pag 127. 235. 236. Matrimonie how a sacrament chap. 23. Pag 146. Pluralitie of wiues chap. 24. Pag 149. 239. The Printer to the friendly Reader Hereafter in this booke Pag 156. followeth the APPENDIX or Compendious briefe which we cal An Answer to the additionals Wherfore we intreat thee good Reader to take euery Page after the 156. so forward to be to that purpose though we haue not set down that same title in these expresse termes nor now cannot wel the Booke being as it was already finished before wee did remember our selues hereof The APPENDIX or Additionals begin at Pag 156. Ratio I. NO reasonable sense as in these following 1 Ephes 5.13 what is manifest the same is light Read for Epist. on the third Sunday in Lent Pag 157. 2 Collect for Trinitie sunday In the power of the diuine maiestie to worshippe the vnitie 158. 3 Euery parishioner to communicate and to receiue the Sacraments Ibid and Pag 100. 4 Ephesians 3.15 God the father of all that is called in heauen Read for epist on 17. sunday after Trinitie 159. 5 Luke 1.36 this is the sixt moneth which was called barrâ—â— read for epist on Annunciation to Mary Ibid. 6 Psalme 5 8. or euer your pots be made hot 160. 7 Psalme 68.30 when the companie of speare-men c. Ibid. Ratio 2. Contradiction 1 COnfirmation no visible signe and yet a visible signe Pag. 79. 160. 161. 2 But two sacraments and yet Confirmation is made 〈◊〉 79.162 Ratio 3. Vntruth 1 INnocents called Gods witnesses 162.163.226 2 Faith and repentance in infants how 104.165 3 Children baptised haue althings necessary to saluation 166. 4 Sure certaine hope of euery one to be buried Pag 1. 167. 5 Nothing ordained to be read but the pure word of God 167. 6 Read without breaking of one piece from another Ibid. Ratio 4. Doubtfull maters 1 ARchangels and Michael for one 168.227 2 Baptisme meerely prinate 172. 3 Conditional baptisme Ibid. 4 2. sacraments onely as necessary 107.172 5 Prinate communion 65.173 6 Ceremonies apt to edification 173.190.190 7 Ministers Priests 173. and before chap. 6. 8 Prinate absolution 173. Ratio 5. Scriptures disgraced 175. 1 APocrypha called scriptures Ibid. 176. 2 Read on a holyday rather then Canonical 177. 3 Canonical left vnread 178. 4 Apocryphal read
taketh them for his brethren because of consanguinitie Ioh. 7.3 though they did not belieue in him He disclaimeth not the bond of nature though they knit not with him in the bond of the spirit 1 Kings 20.33 3. a brother sometimes because of the same office Ahab and Benhadad call one the other so because they were both Kinges 4. a brother because somewhat somuch or so little as a man hath is the image of God 1 Cor. 6.6 5. a brother because of the same profession a brother goeth to law with a brother Malus propter sacramenta communia frater esset Aug breuicicollat 3. c. 3. A wicked man is a brother saith Saint Austin euen for this because of his outward profession and fellowshippe in the Sacrements So manie of these waies one that dyeth may bee a brother a deare brother how much rather may wee vse the name not knoweing his finall and last end as wee doe not How can we say In sure and certains hope of resurrection to eternall life Such a sure and certaine hope it is as in such a case néedeth to relie vpon things apprehended in part for so doth hope receiuing hir direction from the rules of Christian charitie which otherwhiles kindely qualifieth what knowledge would ouer seuerely censure A sure and certaine hope of resurrection to eternall life in so many as doe beleeue which whither this or that particular person now to be interred as we know not so of our knowledge we speake not but hoping in the rules of our Christian loue we make a fauourable construction such as we nothing doubt is most acceptable to God and men Potest fieri vt ribi asiud videatur quam veritas habet dum tamen abt te non aliud fiat quam charitas habet opist 15 Hieron One saith Saint Austin may thinke otherwise then truth hath so he speake not otherwise then charitie hath This is besides his knowledge Doth any one know to the contrary and can so well skill of all the infallible tokens of an impenitent heart which is no ordinarie knowledge the Booke no more inforceth him to vse euery word in that precise manner there set downe then to say a deere brother when it is a sister And with as much reason men may urge this cauill as thus impertinently pretend that the Booke inioyneth vs to account a reprobate for an elect child of God But at any time will a Minister bary from the standing rule and order prescribed let him consult episcopall authoritie to whom direction at such times belongeth and from thence reciue warrant for his proceedings And withall let him be of sure ground that he speake according to knowledge which bold ignorance cannot yea let him see in his seuerall course that he giue not offence to others and draw vpon himselfe a needelesse hatred De nullo quam nis pessimo in hac vita desperandum est Aug. Retract lib. 1. c 19. as no other likelihood but he shall vnlesse at such times for that particular he be lawfully authorized remembring what Saint Austin aduertiseth Not to despaire of any be he neuer so bad while his Soule is within him And in his last gaspe who art thou that iudgest of his estate to be dammed Perkin how far a Reprobate may go Pag. 12. B. Notes saith Maister Perkins that this often betalleth reprobates to be effeemed christians and they are often like them that none but Christ can discerne shéepe froÌ„ goates true christians from apperant Wherefore it is to bee thought far more besides a man his knowledge to denie rather then it is to hope And it is against Gods word Whatsoeuer disagreeth with Gods word deferueth to be condemned Sed quia hicsape hallucinars conting it pracedat modesta placida inquisitie vt sanum sit ac sobrium iudicium Cal. in Iob. 5. v. 10. Curiose inquirere noÌ„ vt emendes c. ld in Math. 7. Sed notes tibique vel probitatis opinionem sicuÌ„ aliis coÌ„fera ris vel praus a nimi oblectatinem concilies Ibid. Superciliose de re qualibet sint strum feramus indicium etiam si in bonam pat tem accipi poterat Ibid. Hoe vitio laberant partim inuidi partim hypocrita partim amantes sui Ibid. Vi morosi sumus maligui magis pendemus in sâ—â—ifram parsem Id. Act. 10. 1 f. Qui Iudidicat ex verbo des Legem domini Iudicium suumÌ„ ad charitatis regulam exigit semper a soip so mititum faciens c. Ibid. Math. 7.1 but because in the misapplying it often falleth out we may be deceiued let a modest and temperat inquisition goe before that the iudgement giuen may prooue sober discrete and sound otherwise it is no better then curiously inquiring into other folkes their words and deedes not to amend or commend them but to note and tax and all this to please our corrupt mindes and to get an opinion of much holinesse in comparison of others This disease breaketh forth into a peruerse holdnesse with a supercilious high looke pasting a finister iudgement of that which might better be interpreted A vice some men labour of that are enulous some that are hypocrites and some that are louers of themselues and not they onely but the better sort of men to as Peter the Apostle in eating foode offered him of the Lord wherevpon it is noted That as we are testie and ill minded we more and more incline to the worser part Against which a present helpe to settle and stay our iudgements and to keepe a right measure and order is by iudging out of the word of God bringing that iudgement we thence make to the rule of charitie alway beginning at a mans owne selfe Which it seemeth some men doe not whose foongs are so flippant what others know and know not For if they beganne with themselues they would learne to esteeme of others better then themselues In Gods graces that little which is in others though but little they would price and make more of theÌ„ of their own contrarie wise in sinne and infirmities that much which is in others much as it is they would thinke nothing in comparison of their owne 2. Tim. 1.15 In euill iudgeing worst of our selues like Paul when hee reckoneth himselfe chiefe of all sinners In good holding it little to that which others haue and doe good with more then wee making this full account Ours is a more greenous sinne and what wee want in measure or waight wee match at times for number And so much is it the more hainous as wee knowe more against our selues then against another and so much the more odious in the sight of God as I or thou hast beene taught more Spiritualiae pec cata sunt maioris culpae carnalia maioris pana and condemned it more then others Spirituall sinnes sayeth one are of greater fault carnall of greater punishnment Such oddes their is twixt person
til it be released when it calleth to mindether wherein or against whoÌ„ the offence is coÌ„mitted Wherein namely in praier for so it is many times Copiosa vanitatis cateruas August confess lib. 10. c. 35. Irruentibus nugatoriis cogitationibus c. Ibid. Abductus turpi cogitatione etiaÌ„ qua dictu erubescenda sunt gero Heiron dial aduers Luciseria Quanta cuÌ„ reuâ—rentia quaÌ„to timore quanta illuc humilitate accedere debet à palude sua procedens repeÌ„s ranuncula vilis quam tremeb undus supplex solicitus Bern. de 4 modes â—rands as diuerse of the ancients witnesse S. Austin with griefe confesseth seing our hart saith he is a little hold or seat or conceit of such things he spake of toying thoughts a little before carrieth after it whole troups of plenteous vanity hence is it that our praiers are often interrupted troubled that in thy presence O Lord while with the voice of our heart we apply our selues to thy eare I know not how so great a seruice is cut off in that very entrance by trifling thoughts rushing in vpon vs. S. Ierom witnesseth the like wheÌ„ I am at my prayers I should thus thus lament my sins intreat my sauiour very often one while I am ether walking in our gallerys or casting vp my accounts or caried away with filthy thoghts or doing those things whic a man should blush to name All with strike the conscience with feare shame so do they the more wheÌ„ we consider before whoÌ„ vnto whom it is our supplicatioÌ„s are directed In time of praier we must entreat saith Barnard the court of heaueÌ„ euen that very court wherein the king of heaueÌ„ sitteth on his thron attended vpoÌ„ with an vnspeakable armie of blessed spirits therefor with great reuerence with great feare with great humility should a vile cotemptible little frog crawling out of a marsh come before him how fearfull how suppliant how humble carefull wholy heartily thoroughly intentiue on the maiestie of his glory in the presence of his Angels Assistere poterit homuncio Ibid. in the counsell of the iust can such a habberdehoy dare to stand or shew his face Giuing vs those things which our prayers dare not presume to aske Neither dare they presume to aske For why should they and yet God giueth vs what we néede Sed vitam aeternaÌ„ fortassis aliqui non in humilitate quarunt sed tantum in fiduciae meritorum Idem Serms 5. de Quadrag Prasume non de operatione aut oratione tuae sed de gras tia Christs Aug. serm 28. de veth dom ConstaeutinuÌ„ imperatorem tantis terrenis impleuit â—â—â—ribus quantae optare nullus auderet August de Cinis des lib 5. c. 25. QuandoquideÌ„ vix petere debe mus c. Iosiaâ— Simler in obitum P. Martyris else we might perish both here and hereafter There are saith Bernard that thinke because they pray that God is indebted to them Peraduenture also eternall life some seeke for not in humilitie but in speciall trust they haue of their owne merits Upon like occasion it séemeth Saint Austin giueth like counsell Presume not of thy owne worke or prayer but of the fauour of Christ Accordingly our Church speaketh here and in the Collect after the offertorie where it saith for our vnworthinesse we dare not c. A phrase we dare aduenture vsed by auncient and sate writers One of each for example S. Austin of old and Iosias Simler of late time Saint Austin writeth that God furnished Constantine the Emperor after his conuersion with so great earthly blessings as no man else may dare to wish the like A wish every man knoweth is fat lesse then a prayer If sometimes God bestow somethings as no man dare to wish for the like what reason is there but we may arknowledge God giueth somewhat which our prayers dare not presume to aske Iosias Simler in his Oration vpon Peter Martir his death toward his conclusion maketh this prayer Graunt vnto vs O most gratious good Father if not another Martir and such a one we ought hardly so much as to pray for yet at the least c. Where it appeareth how the excellencie of God his gifts so rauisheth the mind of an humble suiter that in the fulnesse of admiration astonished with the Lord his singular mercie and on the other side with his owne lothsome vslemsse he plainely confesseth his prayer dareth not aske what the Almighty notwithstanding giueth for his Sonne Christ In which sense any equall Reader shall doe well to thinke our Booke vseth it if he doe well bethinke him how he must not speake against the light of his owne hart These are directly against the word and true faith Heb. 10.19 By the blood of Iesus we may be bold to enter into the holy place And verse 22. Let vs draw neare with a true hart in assurance of faith c. And Heb 4.16 Let vs goe boldly to the throne of the grace These places are directly against doubting and slauish feare ErgoÌ„ not to be Subscribed vnto Be they and euer may they he places directly against doubting and slauish feare Such doubting as is a slauish feare we admit not because the assurance of our faith doth not yet our knowledge in Scripture teacheth thus much that Faith is beholding vnto feare both in hâ—r entrance and afterwards in the growth In the entrance when she takes possession of our harts For the iudgements of God and the terrors of the law in humbling vs are a Schoole master vnto Christ and after too when we many times are likely to play the wantons and thinke our estate like mount Sion that cannot be moued so as what is said of Faith and Charitie is a true saying of assurance and feare Fides charitasbené distinguntor in libris sed malé in moribus They are better distinguished in our Bookes then in our persons Much there is in vs of the flesh that is vnregenerate though like a begger still mending his cloke we make vp the breaches by dayly repentance At the entrance how it worketh may appeare by a similitude taken from a Sempsters worke Act 9.38 who whither Dorcas or some other drawing her néedle in out bringeth the silke after The needle commeth and goeth the silke stayeth and maketh a garment of needle-worke yea if maketh a samplar for many yeares though the needle breake or be lost or the partie dead So is it in feare The worke begun the point maketh an entrance after which the mercies of God as soft as silke follow and stay to make vp a garment to put on where no needle is now but once was so no shew of feare to fore but the effect of it may be seene in the euill not of punishment but of sinne Osculatur mise ricordiâ— pedem vt pedem indicis non attendat Berâ—serm de S. Maria. which as certainely draweth
once doe not vsuallie fall vpon the church in one onely age But as S. Austin well noteth vpon Deut 29.20 27. The Lord his Ielousie shall smoke against that man and euery curse that is written in this booke shall light vpon him All saieth that good father cannot come to one man for he cannot die so often so many seuerall kindes of death as are set downe in that booke But all he said for anie Or els this word all may be taken for most as Rom 1. Because your faith is published throughout the whole world that is in all churches of the whole world An hiperbolicall or excessiue speech For the Apostle thereby meaneth most churches or verie many churches So in this petition here all aduersities that is most aduersities Sixtly Aduersitie may be taken here for what euer is aduerse and contrarie to soules health whither sinne or the punishment for sinne Sutable whereunto is that petition which our sauiour taught his disciples Deliuer vs from euil which Vrsinus interpreteth in these wordes vnder the name of euill some vnderstand the diuill some vnderstand sinne others vnderstand death But vnder this name are comprehended all euils of sinne and punishment whither they be present or to come So as in asking that God deliuer vs from euils we craue that he do send vs no euill but deliuer vs from all euils present to come both of sin and punishment c. Read the place in Vrsinus his Carechisme Seuenthly through thy protectioÌ„ may be free from al aduersities that is being taken into the trust and custodie of God and by his protection secure ouer sinne death the gates of hell and the whole kingdome of Sathan we may continue vnconquered Implying All it is free from is by his protection as he that is saide to teach All the schollers in a town not that All in the towne are taught but that all which are taught are of his teaching so not that the church is free from all but that all she may be free from may be by his protection as S. Austin interpreth that in 2. Tim 2.4 All men are saued not that all are saued but that all which are saued are saued by him Non quod nullus sit hominuÌ„ quem saluuâ— fiers velit sed quod nullus fiat nisi quem velit Aug. ad Lauren c. 103. Lastlie in the communion booke which themselues perued and offered to the parliament in a prayer that followeth after their prayer for the whole church are the like wordes Asswage and stay thy corrections and so at length by deliuering them from all their troubles Wee in our leiturgie say All aduersities which they call corrections and all troubles Graunt it good in theirs after their meaning then cannot it bee misconstrued in ours being to the same sense and purpose Now when so euident a truth in the manifold explanation sheweth it selfe they who haue had a hand in wounding the credit of our church about this prayer will in the end receiue condigne reproch and well worthie are they for their fond defamations raised against that which so manie waies cleareth it selfe in the vpright iudgement of the Godlie well aduised Cap. 6. Of the name Priest The worde Priest is often giuen to the minister of the worde and sacraments as the name of his office which is neuer found in the new testament giuen to any minister but to Christ And good reason it 〈◊〉 giuen the minister of the word as the name of his office in such sense as our church intendeth For so is it generally found in the new testament In the whole bible there is mentioned onely 2. sorts of Priests the one of Aron the other after Melchisedecke TWo sorts of Priests offering to God some visible externall present as sacrificeing vnto him wee read in the bible But if our word Priest being lished for that in the originall hebrue wee must knowe there are more theÌ„ onely two sorts of Priests For the original word in in Hebrue signifieth a principall honourable officer of chiefe noâ—â— whither in ecclesiasticall or eiuill occasions Cohen In which sence Pâ—â—â—phar because of his enmient place about Pharao hath the name Genes 41.45 whose daughter Ioseph maried So the sonnes of Dauid who might not burne incense are called 2. Sam. 8. So Iarah a chiefe prince about Dauid 2. Sam 20.26 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. Châ—o 18.17 2. Sam. 8. 2. Sam. 20.26 And because Aaron his sons were to be of greater account then the Lenite this name of preheminence they distinctlie had from the rest In the Greek of the new testament there are two words both translated by this same word Priest signifying a sacerdotall office in sacrificing or els taken for an auncient and elder in which sence commonly it is the name of a minister of the gospell and so the word from Presbyteros and presbyter contracted and made short Priest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Presbyter Priest The occasion intended may charge our language with penurie and want of words in that she is inforced to make one english word interpreter to them al and did we speak latine the plea we put in would be of more force but in our mother tongue which we vse it is not against vs nor our letturgie Aarons priesthood with the name together with all therest of the Ceremomes had their end by Christ which to renue were to deniâ— Christ Yet they so haue not their end by Christ but the ministers of the gospell succeede Aaron in teaching and praying for the people which dueties belonged to Aaron and die not with him The priest his lips should preserue knoweledge Malac. 2.7 and of him should the people aske counsell which verie course continueth in the ministers of the worde and sacraments So if ministers must bee Priests by their office it must needes be of the Popish sacrificing order which I hope none dare affirme So must ministers of the word be Priests by their office yet no néed they be of the Popish sacrificing order For they are Priests as the word is giuen them in the new testament that is auncients and elders And reason it is they should be so thought because of that originall whence our english word is deriued For it is not home borne but a stranger first a greek then latine now english And that very word which the holy ghost calleth vs by in that new testament is the grand-sire to this name priest Wherein our language if anie complaine of hir pouertie that shée is not copious as that griek is yet may reioyce in this hir dexteritie that she giueth the name in that very same characts the other doth To affirme a Priest and Priesthood doth derogate from Christ Iesus who hath put an end to Priest and Priesthood True it doth to meane a sacrificer of a carnall reall external propitiatorie sacrifice of the very body and blood of Christ vnder the formes of breade
he doth by his example iustifie the one then giueth he approbation to the other Which zealous affection he beareth the Philippians when he prayeth God that they may be found pure and without offence vntill the day of Christ To be without offence is to be blamelesse both in doctrine and manners The integritie of both which answereth in effect to the petition of our church That wee fal into no sin So the Apostle beggeth for the Thessalonians that the verie God of peace sanctifie them throughout Tune purus est integer homo sinâ—hil men te cogitat nihil corde appetit nihil de corpore exequitur nisi quod probatur deo Cal. 1 Thes 5.23 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iud 24 and that their whole spirite and soule and body may be kept blamelesse Then is one a pure and intire man if he thinke nothing in his minde desire nothing in his heart execute nothing in the bodie but what is allowed of God All this Saint Paul prayeth for which is asmuch as if he had prayed they might fall into no sinne Finally Saint Iude in his epistle commendeth the Saintes vnto God who is able to kéepe them from falling whereof to little purpose he should put them in minde but that therein he comprehendeth the Lord his louing sauour that as he is able so he doth it also A truth verified both in head and members For he hath giuen his Angels charge to carrie them in their hands that they dash not their foot against a stone Where fore gathering al these scattered branches to their roote Deus nonuult nobis in hac vita praestare liberationem à peccatis perfectam tamen vult nos cam optare nosque singulis momentis petere vt omnino a peccatis libere utur Vrsin Catec part 3 pag 864. warrant in scripture we find sufficient for renuing the vse of this prayer That we fall into no sin whither we looke to the place whence it is taken or to other collects in the booke that expound the meaning or to the godlie practise of learned men in other countries or to the grace of speach it selfe or to our sauiours example or to apostolicall presidents as before at large hath beene shewed The conclusion therefore we make in the verie wordes which Vrsinus vseth God will not in this life giue vs perfit deliuerance from al sinnes yet will he haue vs to pray for it and beg of God euerie moment to be throughlie and fullie deliuered from all sinnes Chap 9. Of kneeling at the Sacrament of the Lords supper The people are commaunded to receiue the sacrament kneeling and the minister so to minister it vnto them yet is himselfe coÌ„mauÌ„ded to stand This is dangerous THe words in the rubricke are these Then shall the minister receiue the coÌ„munion in both kinds himselfe and next deliuer it to other ministers if anie be there present that they may helpe the chiefe minister after to the people in their hands kneeling And when he deliuereth the bread he shall saie c. Wherevpon noteâ— that minister people both in their place and order are to receiue the sacrameÌ„t open their knees or kneeling so is the minister to receiue it himselfe and the people at his hands As for the obiection Himselfe is commaunded to sâ—and How can any man thinke the minister should deliuer it otherwise being as he is to passe from one to another To receiue the sacrameÌ„t kneeling is dangerous for minister people in respect of law in respect of God religion and conscience Of law for the minister is charged by a statute Elizab. 13. to subscribe to the articles of religion c. vpon paine of depriuatioÌ„ But the 28. article commaundes that the sacrament must not be worship Ergo to minister to the people kneeling is to be in danger of the law Law is pretended but disobedience intended Rather then selfe-will can brooke a controull church and common wealth shall be made enimies each to other as if the same persons that haue authoritie in both did commaund things contrarie were not well aduised what they do exact But a truth it is men are not aduised nor care they against what it is that they do except The 28. article speaks not by way of coÌ„maund but onely in these words The sacrament of the Lords supper was not by Christs ordinance reserued carried about lifted vp or worshipped whereunto as an article of truth the statute Elizabeth 13. requireth our subscription and if anie shall teach otherwise it passeth vpon him sentence of depriuation Proue they that anie among vs doth reserue carrie about lift vp or worship the sacrament of the Lords supper and good leaue haue they to sue all extremities A deuise onely found out to gull a simple honest well affected minde For let men talke of law as much as they list and bleare mens eyes which they dare not doe thus nor thus and al for feare of law truth wil detect a bad mind easily proue that they respect not law nor lawful procéedings more then fits their own humor 1. Elizabeth a law it is if any persons any manner of way shall depraue the booke of common prayer so and so his punishment is set downe and the penaltie quicke for euery such trespasse yet how manifest and daylie breaches are made such writings and preaching in this kind doe publish to the worlde And therefore what tell they vs of law that are themselues lawlesse and carelesse But did they well smart for this breach of good order offences would be fewer and obedience more vsuall kneeling is worshipping For Mark 5.22 and Luk 8.41 Iairus is said to fall or kneele downe at Christs feete And Math 9.18 relating the same storie saieth that Hee did worshippe Kneeling is not in that place put for diuine worshipping Christâ— diuinuÌ„ bonorem non exhibuit Iairus sed coluit vt dei prophetam GenuauteÌ„ flexio quà m vulgaris fuerit apud orâ— entales satit notum Marlor in Mare Gen 33.3.23.7 Iairus gaue not Christ anie diuine honor but reuerenced him as a prophet of God For bending the knee how common it was among the easterne men is well knowne and the manner of the countrie in the debter to his creditor Mathew 18. in Iacob his obeâ—sance to Esau in Abraham before the people of Hâ—th Gen 23.7 So that mere kneeling that is bowing of the knee is not worshiping in a diuine manner Children do it to their parents subiects to their king and no hard point is it to be perswaded that some who obiect thus haue asmuch done them by the fruite of their loines when their children aske blessing or els both children and parents fault is the greater This kneeling to the sacrament was brought into the sacrament by Antichrist the man of sinne Pope Honorius the third an 1220. teaching the people thereby to worshippe the bread and all to be-god it The question is not of
of knéeling may be retained safely where before it could not well be at what time men held transubstantiation for a doctrine of faith Neither is it a good argument when we dispute of the action to argue of the Element as if because a Wafer cake is to be mistâ—ked therefore knéeling also must indure a checke But we will produce a fewe witnesses for proofe of this point and so conclude True it is that where Master Beza liueth the Communicants receaue standing but that no more impeacheth our kneeling then that of theirs who receaue in Wafer cakes and we in ordinarie Bread Now as our Countriementie not theÌ„selues to the one for the forme of Element no more need they binde themselues to the other for the maner of the action Si qui infirmitate suorum ceactivel alias ob causas aliquid aliud ex vetustis ritibus sibâ— retinendum pu tarit sua cut que maneat lia bertas Beza 0664 0 de can doâ—â— adners lar li. pag. 146. For Geneua is no more a Lawgiuer vnto vs theÌ„ we are to it This folly aduanced Rome to that height of prid whereunto she aspired inforcing all other Churches to her rites ceremouies In regard whereof it may be that M. Beza speaking of this gesture vseth these words If any saith he compelled by the infirmitie of their owne brethren or for some other causes shall thinke good to retaine any of the auncient rites let euery one haue their accustomed libertie herein Peter Martyr thus determineth this question for vs others I aduise in adoring when we receiue the Eucharist that we stay not in the elemeÌ„ts but worship in spirit Quoadisti doce rentur P. martyr Com. Loc. clas 4. c. 10. 50. Adoratio interna potest absque periculo ex biberi neque externa sua na tura esset mala Multi eniâ— piè genu fleâ—tuÌ„t c Nisi requenâ— esset de his rebus in conciâ—ns bus nicâ—tio Ibid and truth Christ sitting in the heauens Which thing because the simpler sort vnderstand not we thinke not amisse if we restraine them from outward adoration namely prostrating and knéeling till such times as they haue beene taught Inward adoration may be giuen without any danger and the outward of it own nature cannot be euill For many do in a godly manner bend the knée adore at the hearing of those words of the Gospell and the word was made flesh yet those words are not to be said to be adored but the things themselues signified thereby And what should hinder the very same thing to be done here so that the Elements themselues be not worshipped but that which is signified by them Yet at this time for the cause before mentioned pera duenture outward adoration is not so fit and conuenient vnlesse often mention were made of those â—â—ings in Sermons In which large discourse these notes may be gathered 1. The outward worship of it owne nature is not euill 2. If the words of the Gospell may be outwardly reuerenced in a godly manner at what time they are read then may these Elements haue the like 3. Yet not they but Christ signified by them 4. He would haue externall reuerence by kneeling spared onely for a time 5. But inward adoration alway exhibited because without danger Now inward worship is more then outward for this is but a signe of the other and if no danger in the inward much lesse in the outward 6. He deliuereth his iudgement in very easie termes as peraduenture it may be a while forborne Like a indicious wise man that speakes vnder correction of better aduertisement Hâ—c sacramentum sine adoratione sincque illo vni deo debitâ— â—â—ltis cuÌ„ debita tameÌ„ religione reuerentia percipi adâ—â—â—nis trariqâ—e debet atque ca inpri â—is quae oÌ„nium est maximè fide scilicet sui ipsâ—â—s explorati â—ne Sect. 14. pag. 120. not peremptorily as some among vs that are euery way inferior to him both for modestie and learning Lastly he takes this kneeling or prostrating not to be so fit vnlesse often preaching be ioyned by way of instruction So as if the people be taught then no such feare but it may still be vsed which is our very case at this day Beside the iudgement of this great diuine we haue the consent of the Churches of Bohemia who far from superstitious adoring the Elements how their knées at receiuing of the Sacrament as appeareth in the harmonie of the Confess This Sacrament without adoration and that worship which is due to God only yet with due religion reuerence must be receiued administred and that specially which is the greatest of all namely faith and examining euery ones owne selfe Sacramentum religiosè cum â— nipietate distri bustur Populus autem fideâ—ium vsitatissimè in genua procum bens hoc accipit cum gratiaruÌ„ actione c. Anon after it is added This sacrament is religiously distributed withfull godlines and deuotion The congregation of the faith all most vsually kneeling on their knees receiue it with thankes giuing ioyfulnesse singing of himnes and holie Psalmes c. The spirit of God directing them and our churches in the vnitie of one externall holie behauiour doing the like may be a motiue to perswade others contrarilie minded to thinke that the Lord hath not left vs destitute of that small portion of knoweledge which may determin a circumstance of this nature and so we intreat them to resolue Cap. 10. Priuate communion The booke giueth allowance to minister to one alone cleane contrarie to the word of God and Christ his institutioÌ„ Whatsoeuer will not stand with the word of institution Eat yee that is forbidden without exception But to minister the sacrament to one alone will not stand with Eat yee Therefore to minister to one alone is without exception forbidden THis chapter is here as it seemeth intituled A priuate communion Vpon what ground we knowe it but with what a sinister minde and to how wrong a conclusion any one may coniecture and mame doe feare If they take our communion for the masse then haue they reason for the name Bishop Iewell prouing that a priuate masse for 600. yeares after Christ was neuer heard of calleth that a priuate masse where the masse-priest alone did eat and drinke although in publicke and that happilie 2. or 3. or more such as himselfe all apart were mumbling one in this corner another in that ende a third in a third place and all by themselues at the same time in seuerall places of the church where the people present did neither eat nor drinke but onely euery masse priest himselfe by himselfe Can these men who like the name of communion we giue to the sacrament proue in this sence we maintaine a priuate Communion These termes were neuer knowne to fit our church doctrine till those first moniters and the heires of their scruples had the vse of
the feruler more fit themseles to be vnder a ferular The gentle admonition that was the first bate for this idle debate then rawely entred since ouer hotlie followed but vainelie and vnfruitfullie God hee knoweth and wée deplore maketh this an occasion of their lamentable separation Yee should first proue say they that the priuate communion is agreable to the worde of God And is it not reason they should first proue that we inioyne a priuate communion before they inioyne vs to proue what they now reproue Looke ouer the booke of common prayer from the first worde to the last lease it were an aduenture warrantable should the maine cause lie on it to iustifie all by this one and not to spare a solemne protestation that wee will loose the whole cause if they can make good but this one single singular accusation and take them at their bare worde priuate communion Shew they or anie for them where wee vse these termes Name the leafe page sentence line anie sillable that beareth to any such purpose Meane they it in these wordes of the Rubricke There shal bee no celebration of the Lords supper except there bee a good number to communicate c. or in these following If there be not aboue 20. persons in the parish of discretion to receiue the communion yet shall there be no communion except 4. or 3. at the least communicate Where a good number is to communicate where at least â— or 3. are to communicate no iust suspicion of ministring to one alone Peraduenture the words they mislike are not in the stile title of the coÌ„munion but in some other place What theÌ„ Turne we to yee coÌ„munioÌ„ of the uÌ„cke where the Rubricke is thus For asmuch as al mortall men be subiect to manie sudden perils diseases sickenesses and euer vncertaine at what time they shall depart out of this life therefore to the intent they may be alwaies in a readines to die whensoeuer it shal please almigty God to call theÌ„ the curats shal diligently froÌ„ time to time but specially in the plague time exhort their parishioners to the oft receiuing in the church of the holy coÌ„munion of the body and blood of our sauiour which if they do they shall haue no cause in their sodaine visitation to be vnquiet for lacke of the same But if the sicke person be not able to come to the church and yet is desirous to receiue the communion in his house then he must giue knowledge ouer night or else earely in the morning to the curate signifying also how many be appointed with him hauing a conuenient place in the sicke mans house where the curate may reuerently minister and a good number to receiue the communion with the sicke person c. A quicke eye may soon ouerhip these words in the church which considered satisfie to the full and shew it must be in publick Other words there are in an other place following at the time of the distribution of the holy sacrament the priest shall first receiue the communion himselfe after minister vnto theÌ„ that be appointed to communicate with the sicke Here stil in these places are more then one to ioyne with the minister and therefore is not the communion ministred to one alone Where then is it they haue somuch as the least them for pretence of dislike It may be these words insuing But if a man either by reason of extremitie of sickenesse or for want of warning in due time to the curate or for lack of company to receiue with hm or by any other iust impediment do not receiue the sacrament of Christ his body blood then the curate shal instruct him that if he do truely repent him of his sins stedfastly beleeue that Iesus Christ hath suffred death vpoÌ„ the crosse for him shed his blood for his redemption earnestly remeÌ„bring the benâ—fits he hath thereby giuing him hearty thanks before he doth eat drinke the body blood of our sauiour profitablely to his soules health although he do not receiue the sacrameÌ„t with his mouth In which briefe many causes are alledged for not ministring the coÌ„munion 1. extremity of sicknesse 2. want of due warning 3. lack of coÌ„panie 4. some other iust impedimeÌ„t In supply whereof least the sick party may find him selfe a grieued he is to learnâ— if he haue learned he is to remeÌ„ber that earnest and true repentance of sinnes and a stedfast faith in the merits of Christ his death with a but meditation of all the benefits that come thereby and heartie thanksgiuing to God for the same are an effectuall powerfull true communicating to his soules health though the visible elements be not for that time receiued Nitherto then somuch inquirie as as hath beens made yeeldeth no sufficient proose for their querelous allegation Some other place belike there is or els they are ill bested that without all shew in the world make shew of complaint Were it not for one onely sentence violently wrested they had no colour at all The wordes are vpon a closing point of direction for the communion of the sick In the time of the plague sweat are such other like contagious times of sicknesses or diseases when none of the parish or neiâ—hbours can be got ten to commnnicate with the sicke in their houses for feare of the infection Vpon especiall request of the diseased the minister may lonely communicate with him Where the caucat greatly sets forth the wisdome of God in raising vp the thoughts of his church by kindely prouideing for occurrences whither of health sicknesse or anie contagious disease Sufficient affliction wee may thinke it when the Lord humbleth a man vpon his bed debarreth him accesse vnto the publicke congregation For no doubt in the stirring of the seas one waue ouertaketh not another more busilie then surges of griefe accompany one another in a mans deepe meditation to thinke with himselfe what he is depriued of And the more delight and comfort any one hath tooke in the seale of his assureance the more his soule longeth after it and all little inough he thinkes herein not decetued to strengthen his faith to inlarge his hope and giue him thorough contentment for his present estate Then commeth to his minde what a glad man sometimes the Lord made him when he went with other leading or following them into the house of God and there accompanying them with the voice of singing and praysing as doth a multitude that keepes a feast O Lord of hosts how amiable are thy owellings when he sendeth long wishes after the courts of his God The flight of a sparrow that sluttering of a swallow occasion multiplyed thoughts The little ones scarce peeping forth of their shell more happie then he For they can 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 the alters of the Lord of â—offs A steaking sigh often falleth from him and that sigh not speechlesse O that he had the wings of a doue theÌ„
as it is quotet by Eusâ—b writing the bistorie of Serapion how falling through peâ—seâ— uutioÌ„ offerinâ— to Iâ—ols he was out off from the church to the terror affrighting of others Good old man hee often desired to be receiued in to the bosome of the church It would not hee No may a â—â—â—eded the request His â—cknesse out enâ—â—â—â— belay 〈◊〉 blasse fâ—â— thâ—â—â— whole dayes depriued of the vse of â—â—â—â—nces the 〈◊〉 to himselfe againe at what time seing how it was with him he grew more instant then euer before to receiue the sacrant out the pledge of his peace made with God the church which no soner obtained but withal most com ortably be finished his life 〈◊〉 thing vsual in those times for such â—â—lay a dying if they made request special earnest suppliant humble request they were allowed that fauour of the coÌ„mnuion that supported with a good hope they might depart hence in peace In the next one the same course was held by the couÌ„cel of Nice where the fathers ganâ—â—in charge according to the auncient rule that the holy coÌ„mnuion should be denied none toward the time of their death This couÌ„cel so auncieÌ„t as it was nigh 1300 yeares ago euen theÌ„ cousessed that this order the church tooke 〈◊〉 retaine was before those times much auncioniar Saâ—i◠〈…〉 long after as wee may obserue in those sermones of time that goe vnder Saint Austin his name As often as any sickenesse or infirmitie shall happen let him that it sicke â—â—â—â—iâ—e the body blood of the Lord. Quoties aliqua infirmitâ—s superuenerit corpus sangusnem ille qui agrotat accipiat August ser de tempore Aegrotis dare oportet fateor sed etiam coraÌ„ agrotiâ— pâ—ssent perage mysteria Iâ— martyr Aegrotis quipe tebant cunam dominicam non negabatâ—â—u Suta Oecolom-Bueâ—r censis Cal. epist. Museut tis de can dom Sine superstitia ouâ— effendicule ut a flaâ— gitat agrotorâ—Ì„ infirmitas nâ—limus sanè obâ—qusam ecclesiaâ— sâ—indâ—re Beca In these latter times Peeter Martyâ— answering this obiection that the â—derament must be ministred to the sicke It must I confesse saith hee be ministred to the sicke But then mightie bee in the presence of the sicke In the life of Oeâ—â—compadius it is written of him The sicke that desire the Lords supper he denied it not them Bucor in his censure alloâ—eth c. to doth M. Caluin in his epistles if the sicke folkes desire it The like doth Muscului and Hiperius If this wee speake of faith M. Beza may be done without superstition and offence and that the weakenesse of the sicke partie doe require it wee would not truely that anie one for such a cause should rent the church by schisme and contention And certainely it seemeth the generall opinion hath been from time to time that if men in their health neede this sacrament much more when they are weakened and spent with sicknesse For it fitteth best when wee are most humble and penitent which commonise in the elect of God is by degrees more or lesse but in a heauy visitation many times our humiliation is wrought most effectually when the conscience almost squezeâ— with a serious consociation offiâ—aâ—â— the body and soule are humbled vnder the mighty hand of God Which may be the case of manie in these times whither excommunicate or suspended from the Lords table or hauing wasted themselues in lawlesse states or conceiuing amuse of our sacraments ministery doctrine c. afterwarâ—es touches in heart seing the grossones of their error vs recover themselues the Lord mightning their eies that they beg with great earnestnes to haue a part in that sacrament visibly whose fellowship poore seduced soules they did either detest or neglect or except against before What ioyes the Lord ministrâ—th his children at such times as in faith and true repentance they receiue these infallible tokens of his gratious loue they onelie knowe whome the Lord hath prepared for that heauenly banquet and what can they tell good heartes yet once againe ere they giue vppe the ghost howe the Lord may yeelde them like comfortes and that with more chéerefulnesse then hitherto he hath done And may it not be hoped that a faithfull Communicant in the very instant twixt life and death séeth in this loue-token the very ioyes of heauen presented vnto him as an effectuall motiue to hasten him hence and to strengthen him in his iourney to his long home The Communion Booke giueth allowance to the Minister to minister to one alone Nothing contrary to Gods word and Christ his institution to minister to one alone at a time for how can it be otherwise But if they meane one alone and alonely as if none else did communicate but the sicke partie bedridden they speake an vntruth For more are required at the Minister his discretion And a very poore body he or she is like a Sparrow on the house top that hath neither wife nor seruant nor friend nor chairewoman nor kéeper to tend and tender him in his sicknesse yea euen in the Plague-time God disfurnisheth not a man of all company but one or other good neighbour he hath beside the Minister whom vnlesse the congregation be prouided of another sufficiently able that may supply his absence the laws of our Church and his owne conscience spare from communicating when the infection is And great reason because if a particular grieued be to be caredfor so are many much rather both of his familie and of the whole parrish least through his vndauisednesse he drawe them into the like contagion Zanch. in Philip 2.27.30 Master Zanchius sheweth this at large speaking of Epaphroditus and his earnest care for the Saints at Philippi so doe other writers whose names we spare in this argument yea so doth the Rubricke in the Booke of common prayer Can. Eccles 67. and the Canons Ecclesiasticall in case the disease be knowne or probably suspected to be infectious But admitting there were not another to communicate with the sicke person is the Minister no body doth not be Etiamsi minimo numero Bâ—cer in Math. 18.19 and that sicke partie make a number though the least of all numbers If but two or thrée agrée vpon earth sayeth our Sauiour c. To minister the Sacrament to one alone doth not stand with eat yee To minister the sacrament to one alone at a time standeth with the words of Christ his institution because Tertullian his rule is true Subiectum est generali speciacle in ipso significatur quia in ipso continetur Tertul. de velaÌ„ virg cap. 5. Particularities are signified vnder that which is generall And therefore in saying eate yée necessarily is implied eate thou vnlesse we shall thinke that when our Sauiour said Baptise ye therefore one alone may not Baptise or praying Pray yée thus therefore one may not pray alone It is faultie that we doe not vse in a generalitie once for
9. Or put we the child to kisse the Pax 10. Or in stéed of laying on of hands giue it a pat with the thumb and then a blow on the chéeke 11. Or tye a rag about the forehead 12. Or pretend to confirme it being a child but seuen daies old If these or any of these we be guiltie of we hartily giue them thanks that reproue But the world knoweth so far as our name is heard of euen therefore are we traduced by our open enemy abroad because we omit all these things What then shall we forgoe all patience Our hope is when our Countriemen know the sinceritie of our defence and how farre approoued of by other Churches they will flake their itching heate against vs in this argument Chap. 12. In the Rubricke of the Communion at the entrance of the people to the Lords boord the title of the confession hath this Then shall this generall confession be made in the name of all those that are minded to receiue the holy communion either be one of them or els by one of the ministers or by the priest himselfe all kneeling humblie vpon their knees These wordes were excepted against by worde of mouth and this reason giuen for dislike The worde of God alloweth not a woman or any other person beside the minister to speake in the church 1. Cor. 14.34 This Rubricke admitteth any one of the communicants to make the confession therefore not to be allowed nor subscribed vnto REply by personall and reall argument Quoad homineÌ„ quoad reâ— personall for the day before at what time this conference was had a minister being conuented did confesse at the mariage of his daughter hee required hir to take the communion booke which shee did accordingly and without anie spiritual guide to informe hir contrarie to our church order set downe holding the booke in hir hand did publicklie and audiblie read the wordes wherein hir consent is required Which noueltie pleased the father so well as he would needes aske his parishioners whither that were not far better then the other fashion of pronouncing them after the minister hee reading the wordes and directing the couples by them So as if the obiection here made haue strength it mightily ouermatcheth this practise of some one who hath fellowshippe in other points of opposition against our ecclesiasticall canons and order The reall answer to purpose was and is thus First none could giue instance that any other did it but the minister the rest of the congregation pronouÌ„cing that generall confession word for word after him But if so it were as the booke to their vnderstanding pretends a libertie yet no offence at all for any one of the congregation publickely to read an inditement drawne against his owne soule For so that confession is wherein the people are deepely ingaged Where it handling the kay of opening the kingdome of God by the ministrie of his word that the Rubricke should say This sentence of absolution be pronounced by man or woman or anie one of the Communicants then were iust cause to be taken against it But the truth is the booke wisely prouideth that the priest or Bishop being present shall vpon confession first made turning himselfe to the people say c. Well knowne it is that in the vniuersities our colledges schooles of learning appoint in time of diuine seruice certaine choristers or scholers to reade chap. say praiers sing the letanie and such like All which so done by such is performed all that while by other then profess ministers that haue taken orders As for the inforced conclusion That we permit weomen to speake openlie proueth no such thing secondly did it No such aduantage For weomen are to speake iointlie with the whole congregation whereof they are a part or els how shall they sing Psalmes and seueral alone by themselues as occasion may bee offred whither at the lauer of regeneration when they became sureties and Godmothers for little ones then to be baptised or to make answer at the solemnization of mariage when as their husbands for their part promise to take them to wiues and they againe in like words say asmuch on their owne behalfe audibly and aloud that the rest of the congregation may witnesse the publicke vow each of them make to one another Wherefore it cannot bee thought scandalous if neede so require that a confession bee made in the name of all those that receiue the holy communion either by one of them as this obiection wil needes haue it thought man or woman or else by any of the ministers For as it appeareth in storie the manner was that weomen hauing publickely offended the church required publick proofe of their vntained repentance both by word and deed This Irenaeus witnesseth Certaine weomen seduced Mulieres quaedam à Marco haeretico seducta corrupta cuÌ„ conuartebantur in manifest of a ciebant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 plaÌ„gentes lamentantes corruptelam Irena lib. 1. c. 9 Chemnit exam 2. part titul de confes Euseb lib. 6. c. 43 Nouel constitut 3. vt dâ—termenatus sit nume â—rus Clericorum corrupted by one Marke an heriticke and afterwards conuerted did manifestly publish their confession weeping and bewailing their error that they were so abused The like course was kept with diuerse others who not withstanding priuate persons made a publicke confession of their sins in their owne name and behalfe And whereas any one of the ministers is named beside the priest wée must know that many particular congregations had as some churches yet haue in supply 2.3 yea more that did attend their publicke function till such time as they were called forth to reside in some speciall charge Therefore person vicar curate yea many more then al these in greater churches Cathedral and the like as in the citie of Rome vnder one Bishop 46. presbiters 7. deacons beside many other inferior helpers for many seueral duetys so at Constantinople 60. priests 100. Deacons c. to reade sing expound and to make supplie in the offices of prayer confession c which is the very cause here challenged in this place now in regard of these occasions before specified that men and weomen did as also for that ample supplie was and is in some churches the booke offeceth it in these termes This generall confession shal be made either by any one of them that communicate or by one of the ministers 1. Cor. 14.34 As for the scripture that suffreth not weomen to speake must bee thought not to exlude them from all manner of speaking namelie singing of Psalmes praying with the congregatioÌ„ or publickly confessing their sins but debarreth them onely the ecclesiasticall function of preaching which yet is not vtterly forbidden Talis necessitas potest accidere quae mulieris vo cem requirat Cal. Ibid. For some such necessitie may fall out saieth Maister Caluin though not ordinarily which may require a womans voice
vtterance And diuerse examples might be alledged for the equitie of such their humble penitent submssiue publicke leuerall confessions But we content our selues with this for this time Chap. 13. In the last Rubricke of the communion Note that euery practitioner shall communicate at the least 3. times in the yeare of which easter to be one and shall also receiue the sacraments and other rites according to the order in this booke appointed THat is Hee shall communicate to and with the Saints for communicating is twofold in scripture to them by way of releefe with them in prayer thanksgiuing other bolie duties so often as occasion is ministred And for feare hée will slip his necke out of this yoke or may by some vrgent occasions be drawn away he is to note that at the least 3. times in the yeare of which Easter to be one when also he shall receiue the sacraments and other rites The ministration of Baptis whither for himselfe or his little ones For baptisme was of old administred at Easter and Whitsontide as the booke sheweth in another Rubricke in the page following The Rubricke speaketh in the plurall number Shall also receiue the sacraments It doth but either it taketh the word sacraments properly or at large 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Math. 12.1 For so the word sacrament may be taken Properly there are but two and in that construction it beareth this sense He shall also receiue the sacraments that is he shall also receiue one of the sacraments 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luc. 6.1 Like vnto that speach of the'uangelist Math. 12. Iesus went on the sabboths through the corne which S. Luke rendreth in the singular number on the sabboth the second after the first 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ioh 6.45 so this the sacraments namely that second after the first or like vnto that Ioh 6.45 a sentence writteÌ„ in the prophets that is one of the prophets namely Esay Synecdoche integri P. scator indofinitè loqui solet vulgus Beza For the vulgar people vse thus to speake indefinitlie After which manner Maister Zanchius writting of the Eucharist receiued by a man of vnderstanding able to distinguish twixt the signe and the thing signified which cannot be done by children Sacraments saieth hee are misteries whereunto none are admitted SacrameÌ„ta sunt mysteria ad qua non admittuntur nisi qui fide praediti relationes possint intelligere discernereque signum a resignata Zanch. de cultu dei exter pag 3â—9 coluÌ„ 1. but such as indued with faith can vnderstand and discerne the signe from the thing signified Where this word sacraments vnderstood of the Lords supper for of that hee intreateth must needes be taken for one of the sacraments Secondly this worde sacraments is taken at large for rites as the terme accompanying doth well imply He shall also receiue the sacraments and rites as appeareth in another Rubricke where it is saide by the holie sacraments of his bodie and blood that is the consecrated bread and wine As for the wrong conclusion which men doe wrest vpon those wordes followeth not at all but rather the contrarie as may appeare by these two arguments 1. The sacraments and rites which the Communion booke appointeth and no other a parishioner is to receiue But more then two sacraments the communion booke appointeth not and therefore a parishioner is not inioined to receiue more 2. the placing of the words necessarilie inforce asmuch Not that euery parishioner shal communicate and also receiue the sacraments and other rites For had the booke meant other sacraments as of pennance confirmation c. Hee would haue set them in this order Not that euerie parishioner shall receiue the sacraments and other rites and shall also communicate Because in a popish sense parishoners are first brought to eareshrift and then after haueing done pennance c. They are suffred to communicate But the contrarie order is here set downe and therefore must needs and doth intreat a contrarie interpretation In the second exhortation to the Communion which sometimes is to be saide at the discretion of the Curat there are these wordes Our sauiour Christ not onely to dye for vs but also to bee our spirituall food and sustenance as it is declared vnto vs aswell by Gods word as by the holy sacraments of his blessed bodie and blood Here the booke stileth it by the name of sacraments where it should not so bee but rather by the holy sacrament of his body and blood c. This obiection may wel serue for an argument that the book meaneth by the word sacraments Baptism itum tum intersorts quo Christus nos spiritu saÌ„cto baptizat igne tum exterioris c. lun parallel lib. 3. c 6. in Heb. Baptismos plurals numero no ininat solennes ritus statos baptizandi dies Cal. Heb. 6.2 Baptisma tum meminit plurali numero non quod iteratus vnquam sed sed quod plures Catechumini so lereÌ„t ad baptis conuâ—nire Beza Ibid. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vnanobis et illis fides vnus Deus idem Christus eadeÌ„ spes eadem lauacra sacrameÌ„ta Tertull. de velan virg c. 2. Apostolica traditio est qua in toto mundo praedicatur vt baptismi sacramenta Hieron in 2. Thes 2. Sensus est Apostolicam traditionem nihil aliud esse quam doctrinam Apostolorum toti ecclesia traditam et sacras res ex ponentem quibus per baptismum initiati sunt Iunius contra Belarm de Ro. Pontis lib. 4. c. 4 2. parts which make but one yet are two parts namely the body and blood answereable to the outward elements which are like 2. eyes though but one sight One signe alone is called a sacrament how much more being more may they bee called sacraments If so why not then the rather at what time the thing signified is implyed therein being as the other was bread and wine so this in a sacramentall relation the body and blood of our Lord Iesus An argument to proue so much may be this by way of more then probable consequeÌ„t If the holy Ghost speaking of baptisme which is but one calleth it baptismes as more either because outward inward so M. Iunius interpreteth it that is the element the thing signified which numbred seuerallie are two or because of the solemne set dayes ordained in the primitiue church for baptisme as M. Caluin renders it or because many striplings nouices in the faith did meet together at one time as M. Beza thinketh then may this also though but one yet bee multiplyed for number in the same sense because as then many were baptised at one time and therefore baptismes so one coÌ„municating many times it may bee called sacraments A speech somewhat vnusuall yet not vntrue Baptisme is but one saieth S. Paul yet in the language of auncieÌ„t fathers as Tertullian and S. Ierom and others it is not strange to say the sacraments of
baptisme Tertullian saieth we they haue one faith one God the same Christ the same hope the same sacraments of the lauer of baptisme S. Ierom thus An Apostolicall traditioÌ„ it is which is published in the whole world as the sacraments of baptisme The meaning of which word saieth M. Iunius is that an Apostolicall tradition is nothing els but the doctrine of the Apostles deliuered to the whole church and expouÌ„ding the holie things whereby in baptisme wee are entred into the church Which spéech of Ieroms M. Iunius condemneth not but niterpreteth The sacrameÌ„ts of baptisme for holy things rites as our communion booke there interprets it Wherefore contracting these before mentioned into one briefe as some doe by way of question who demaund thus Whither according to the word of God a man hauing been once baptised and communicating 3. times a yeare there be any other sacraments to be receiued Wee answer 1. Cor. 15.5 Act. 1.26 This question as commonly all such interrogatiues made thus cunningly is but a snare set to intangle a reply For examples sake Wée read in 1. Corinth 15. that Christ was seene of the 12. Where as in the first of the Acts there were but eleuen for Iudas had hung himselfe Whereupon with a frame of words after the forme of the demaund here prefixed wée may stile our question thus Whither according to the word of God Iudas hauing hung himselfe therefor but 11. it may be said there were anie other to be reckoned then at that time for a 12. No difference at all in the scruple occasioned For in what termes that is proposed so may wee tender this but not without danger and therefore such questions must be cast in a new mould be made in some other forme and fashion then this is here Els wee shall not onely indanger the booke of common prayer but euen by the like choplogick at vnawares peraduenture make worke for Atheists their reprobate contradictions Hoping therefore that men desire to be satisfied and not wrangling at any hand multiplyed our conclusion is thus Wee answer A man hauing beene once baptised and communicating 3. times in a yeare hath no other sacraments to receiue but the Lord his supper which is called sacraments because it is one of the sacraments as also because a man communicateth often as also because there are many coÌ„municants with receiue with him as also because of the seuerall elements bread and wine as also because of the seuerall partes signified by them as also the sacramentall rites annexed to them For all which respects though but vnum totale one intire thing yet as hath beene saide in the language of 1400. yeares agoe and now since in the communion booke called sacraments in these wordes He shall also receiue the sacraments and other rites And againe The sacraments of the bodie blood c. By other rites is thought to insinuate ashes holie water the kissing of the pax and such other like rites vsed in poperie Not so but other rites according to the order in the book prescribed for so the expresse words are of the Rubricke and therefore seing both by law and practise the contrarie is required what reason haue men to wrong out church thus Other rites a man must receiue according to the order in the booke prescribed namely bread and not a water cake leauened not vnleauened onely wine alone for the other element and not wine mingled with water in the morning and not after supper kneeling and so forth for this order our church followeth But thus much he spoken of both these Rubricks Chap 14. The Catechisme of the booke What is required in persons to be baptised Answer Faith and repentance These are the wordes of the Catechisme as it is inlarged in the coÌ„munion booke since it hath been reuiewed But this is more then God in his word requireth For children can haue no faith Rom. 10. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by preaching IN deede part 1. c. 30. p. 173. Ipsa baptismi actio est sidei professio Aug. de precat merit remiss cap. 27. Idem epist 57. ad Dardanum Nemâ— mibi dicat quod non habet fidem cui mater impertis suam inuoluens â—llam sacrameÌ„to quousque idoâ—eus fiaâ— proprio asseâ—sâ—â— euolutaÌ„ puraÌ„que recipere Berâ—a ferm 66. in Cantica if children can haue no faith as the words in the obiection plainely say then is it true that faith repentance are not to be required But wherefore haue they baptisme if faith and repentance may not be said to be required Is not baptisme the sacrament of faith and repentance Children as hath beene shewd haue no actuall faith but yet as S. Austin well saieth the verie action of baptisme is in some sort a profession of faith Againe in another place God dwelling in children though they know him not when he dwelleth not in elder folkes that know him And S. Bernard stirred at such speches as now are on foote Let none tel mee that a child hath no faith to whom the mother imparteth her own applying it and inrowling it in the sacrament till such time as by it own kind assent it become fit to receiue it open and plaine But more of this in the words following Why are children baptized not being able to performe these that is faith and repentance Answ In the Catechisme They doe performe it by their Sureties This is most absurd and against the word that one man shall beleeue for another and one repent for another The iust shall liue by his owne faith and euery sinner must repent for his owne sinne Neither absurd nor against the word But when proofe wanteth or draweth low then let euery arrow of the quiuer flie Absurd most absurd and can more be added to aggrauate their accusation These may be degrees of comparison in bad English but neither one nor other of them that good degree which Saint Pauls Minister should get vnto him The places in Abacuk and Rom. 1.17 speake of actuall faith by which the iust liue but not of that which the Catechisme intendeth namely the spirit of faith the Sacrament of faith and that which is in steed and supply of faith working by loue the latter quotation of Scripture speaketh of such as are come to yeares and can distinguish twixt the right hand and the left which children neither doo nor through imperfection of age can they Let such Texts be vrged against them whom it may concerne against vs it needeth not For as it is euery one 's owne life a man lives so we confesse it is euery ones proper faith which iustifleth But that is no hinderance to a child that liueth by his mother while it is in the wombe nor any let to a babe with whom the Church trauaileth in birth Heming postil in Math. 9. in Dommic 19 post Trinitat Act. 27.24 Anothers faith benefiteth euen an Infidell and that very much we say
substantiall communicating of the body and blood of the Lord. Againe of the manner thus he writeth If any one aske mee I will not be ashamed to confesse that it is a higher secret then can be comprehended by my wit or declared in word and to speak it more plainly I findit more in experieÌ„ce in a comfortable féeling theÌ„ I can wel vnderstand M. Peter Martyr in diuerse epistles shewing his iudgement confesseth that the godly coÌ„municating in the holy supper doe verily receiue the body and blood of the Lord. In the disputation kept at Basill vnder Amandus Polanus Doctor of the chaire one Iohan HosmaÌ„ being respondeÌ„t the bodie of Christ is absent from vs in place but most present with vs by our vnion with him through the holie spirit dweling in him and he in vs. Therefore not onely bread and wine nor onely the Godhead of Christ nor onely the vertue and efficacie of Christ is present in that supper but also the very body and the very blood of Christ arpresent indeed in the holie supper Present they are not inclosed inuisiblie in with or vnder the breade and wine be in the first supper they were not so Adsunt non inclusa inuisibâ—liter in cum vel sub pane et vino quia in prima coena non suerunt Ibid. Ephes 3 17 Non delapsaâ—o coelo in terrena elementa Act. 3.21 Eam prasentiam non efficit fides sed spiritus Ibid. but present they are offred and exhibited Not the bread and wine for the promise is made to the beleuer not to the bread and wine Present they are by the holy Ghost and by faith Present they are not slipping out of heauen vpon the earthlie elements because the heauens must containe him till the restoring of all thinges Present with the minde carried vp into heauen by the holy Ghost Now in these places before where it is written that the very bodie and blood of Christ are indeede receiued and the verie substantiall communicating of Christ his bodie and blood one should haue twitted these learned diuines O this sauoureth too much of transubstantiation and crosseth the 28. article As if eaten onelie after a heauenlie and spirituall manner by faith it were not eaten verilie and indeede Verilie and indeede such opponents shew want of loue and truth and what maruell if they euer learne and neuer bee learned Carnall men take nothing for verilie and indeede that is heauenly and spirituall For did they then must they thinke this to be a truth which more then seemeth that verilie and indeede they doe not Chap. 17. Of matrimonie O God which hast consecrated the state of matrimonie to such an excellent misterie that in it is signified and represented the spirituall marriage and vnitie of Christ his church This is directlie contrarie to the word of God Ephes 5. which teacheth the vniting of Christ to the church his loue to it and the churches obedience to him teaching how the man should loue his wife and the wife obey hir husband this is repeated 4. times and still the similitude drawne from Christ and his church FIrst the place in the Communion book quoteth not any text either in the Ephe. or els where Secondlie since truth in anie kind is not directlie contrarie to truth neither can this bee nor is it to the worde of God And that it is not appeareth here in because as face answereth face in a glasse soâ—â—ofe similitude exâ—resseth â—â—â—ther and therefore as it is true that Christs mariage representeth the mariage of man and wife so the mariage of man wife doth represent Christs mariage 3. Ephes 5.23.31 â—8 The place in the Ephesians speaketh of Christ and his Church so doth it of Adam and Eue vers 31. so doth it generally of all vers 28. and therefore an inâ—urie to streighthen it more then that quotation doth 4. No heresie is it nor any whit contrary to Gods word to say that in maried couples is represeÌ„ted vnto vs che mariage of Christ to his spouse For it is the properlie of things that are alike to set out one another And if it be true that in the ioyning of Christ to his Church the vnitie of man and wife is expressed then also on the other side in the fellowship of wedlocke twixt man and wife is the memorie of Christ his loue to his Church renued In this case for confirmation of that sentence August de bono coniug c. 18. alibi Annon audis Paulum dicentem quod â—uptiae sunt sacrameta imago dilectionâ—s Christs quam erga ecclesiam declarauit Chri so homil 56. in Geneâ— 29. MatrimoniuÌ„ est similitudo quam Christs atque ecclesiae coniunctio signi ficat Whit. con Duraeum de pa radox p. 656. Matrimonium typus imago fuit verè diuini spiritualss coniugii quod futurum erat inter Christum ecclesiam Bucan institut theol loc 12 O Deus quiper hoc vinculum matrimonis excellens et arcanum vinculum â—uae inessabilis et paternâ—a charitatis significare volussti quando officio coniugals vouitate fide nostras animas tibi vero sponso copulare placuit de ritibus et inflitutis Tigurme ecclesia Matrimdnium dulcissima est imago inter Christum et ecclesiam Lauat narratio de Nabale aske the iudgement of Diuines elder and later not ingaged in the question Elder Saint Austin and Saint Chrisostome Austin in many places of his works Chrisostome more briefly Hearest thou not Paul saying that marriage is a mysterie and the image of the loue of Christ which he hath declared to his Church Of our later writers Doctor Whitakers against Dur Matrimonie is a similitude wherein is signified the ceniunction of Christ and his Church Bucan in his institution Mariage saith he is a tipe and figure of the truly diuine and spirituall mariage which was afterward to be betwixt Christ and his Church To this purpose the same writer quoteth Paul Ephes 5.23 The Church of Tigurin vseth the like in the celebration of Matrimonie as we do where these words are set downe O God which by the bond of Matrimonie an excellent and secret bond of thy vnspeakable and fatherly loue wouldst signifie when by a mariage duetie it pleased thee in truth faith to couple our soules vnto thee the true spouse Lauater in his storie of Nabals life death saith that Mariage is a mysterie of the couenant twixt Christ his Church Chenâ—nitius handling the title of Mariage speaketh as our Communion Booke dath Coniugium dâ— cissima est imago Christi ecclesia sicut ex plicatimem il lam tradit Pau lus ephes 5. CheÌ„ nit in exam coÌ„cil Triden Mariage saith he is a most sweete image of Christ and the Church as Paul maketh the exposition For whereas Eue is framed of the side of Adam fallen a sléepe that she is bone of his bones this the auncient make a godly interpretation of
vsed to giue light to them that sat in darkenesse May Ismaell lift vppe his hand against all and none returne him like for like May all his wordes goe for truth and this among the rest vncontrolde None can offer that which is not in their owne power Then may none offer to plucke vppe roote destroie builde plant saue a soule from death Nemo dat quod non habet hinde vppe the broken Baptise beget in the Gospell and the like for none of all these are in a mans owne power The foundation of which argument is both in Philosophie and Diuinitie very weake Nihildat quod noÌ„ habet eléch I. In Philosophie both Morall and naturall Morall for a seruant who many times hath not a halfepenny of his owne doth many times deliuer from his Master many crownes at a time to some other man at his Masters appointment In naturall Phylosophie our disputants know this proposition is much wronged For what forme of a chaire hath an Axe Chrisill or Saw yet these are instruments to some such purpose and in arguing of the Sunnes influence of the elements and the compounds thence this proposition is made ouermuch pliable so in the question of the Sacraments for their dependance from the Minister what violence hath beene offered by the like euery young Student of reasonable paines is sufficiently instructed or may be if he make recourse to Austin in his Bookes of baptisme against the Donatists Nor their onely ground it was but the Nouatians also building vpon this principle denied the Ministers power to forgiue Because as they said they gaue the Lord reuerence in whom they held it was a case of reseruation Aiuntse domia no referre reuerentiam cuisoli remittendoruÌ„ criminum potestatem deferuÌ„t Ambros lib. 1. de poeniten c. 6. and none else could giue that which was not in his power For God had power onely to forgiue shine Many like inferences haue béene writhed in vpon supposall of this premise None can giue that which is not in his owne power Which simply proposed may be acknowledged for truth but all the error is in application Iniuriously therefore doe they by whom the vse of these words Receiue the holy Ghost is hailed into obloquie to the reproch of our Church and as we iudge to no small preiudice vnto others For in the manner of imposition of hands ordinarily obserued in the Churches of Fraunce it is decreed that these very words of Saint Iohn La maniere de imposition Receiue the holy Ghost should be at that time in the election of their Ministers repeated and stood vpon as also those other following whosoeuer sinnes ye remit c. Then after followeth a prayer which vsually compriseth the contents of their Sermon beséeching God for successe in that worke in hand of ordaining Ministers Thus farre the words in vse with them not only recitatiuè rehearsing that historie nor precatiuè with prayers accordingly but ordinatiuè in ordination wh they vse their authoritie and power to ordaine or designe Ministers as our Sauiour did his Apostles Our Sauiour might giue what the Bishop cannot True if Christ had not sent them as the Father sent him True if in ordination men did take vpon them to giue Ioh. 20 2â—â— as immediately from themselues in their owne persons as Christ did in his True if they prayed not that God would giue what they thinke necessarie to speake of True if the Bishop did meane the person of the holy Ghost True if that God did neuer take of the spirit of his seruant and giue of it vnto another as in Moses when the Lord tooke of the spirit which was vpon him and gaue vnto the 70. Num. 11.17 yea sometimes doubling it vpon one from another Num. 11.17 as 2. King 2.9 that of Elia vpon Elizeus 2 King 2.9 Surely surely were a caueller but modestly affected in handling this point he would no more repine at these words Receiue the holy Ghost then at those which euery Minister vseth the Lord be with you Chrisost homil 33. in cap 9 Math. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or at that which the people returne as in S. Chrysostome his time the manner was and yet is and with thy spirit Besides at such times what imply these words but authoritie in him that consecrateth And they that are consecrated are giuen to vnderstand they haue power being thus ordained to intermeddle in spirituall Ghostly and holy occasions so as they are in the words remembred warranted by their publike function that they are rightly and lawfully called and are no intruders hereby giuing vs and others to vnderstand what reuerence is to be yeelded them for their sacred function which they now discharge So as retaine they sinnes or remit sinnes excommunicate or pronounce absolution Preach pray admonish exhort counsell reproue baptize or administer the holy Supper of the Lord in all these they are to be estéemed as the disposers of the mysteries of God and their words sentence iudgements censures acts or déedes are not hence foorth theirs as of a priuate man or of man at all but the words counsels and déedes of the holy Ghost and men disobeying or resisting disobey not nor resist them 1. Sam 8.7 for who are they in the view of a carnall eye but they disobey and resist the holy Ghost Nâ—m 16.11 in whose name their commission hath so great power as that it is not from earth earthly but from heauen heauenly For when it is thus saith the Lord it must be thought that the Prophets also did then speake So little reason had any to trouble himselfe or the Church with these occurrences which are no sooner mooued but assoone answere for themselues Another Paper maketh exception thus We cannot subscribe to the Booke of ordination as is required because the Bishop is appointed in ordaining of Priests and Bishops to vse the very words receaue the holy Ghost which Christ our Sauiour vsed at the sending foorth of his Apostles which he did because he being God was able and did extraordinarily giue that which he willed them to receiue Though sufficient haue beene already answered concerning this point yet because some renue their complaint we also returne them if possiblie a more ample and full answere In the ordination of Priests according to the forme established by law in our Church after sundrie exhortations instructions admonitions prayers protestations and promises to for and by the partie to be made Priest the Bishop with the rest of the Priests that are present laying his handes vpon his head vseth these words Receiue the holy Ghost whose sinnes thou doest forgiue they shall be forgiuen and whose sinnes thou doest retaine they shall be retained and be thou a faithfull dispenser of the word of God and his holy Sacraments In the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost Amen At the ordination of Bishops and Priests in the Apostels
dixit accepistis sed accipite spirituÌ„ sanctuÌ„ c Chrisost in Ioh. c 20. homil 85 Potestatein quandam pratiam spirita lem cos accepisse Ibid Sed vt peccata dimitterent dof ferentes enim sunt gratia spiritos quare addidit Quorum remiseritis peccata c. ostendens quod genus virtutis largiatâ—r Ibid. Theophilact Ibid. that the Lord breathed vpon his Disciples and said receiue the holy Ghost he implyeth the Ecclestasticall power that is giuen and collated and that for these reasons Christ in bestowing this power did vse these words 1. To teach vs that all things which are to be ministerially done in the name of Christ are really performed by the holy Ghost because in the Lords ordinance all things are wrought by the holy spirit 2. That hereby he might leaue an example to his Apostles and Ministers Therefore the rule and forme of this discipline being deliuered to them it is also said vnto them Receaue the holy Ghost S. Chrisostome noteth that our Sauiour said not Ye haue receiued the holy Ghost but receaue the holy ghost because they receiued a certain power and spirituall grace not to raise the dead and shew miracles or vertues but to loose sinnes For they are differing graces of the spirit wherefore he added whose sins ye remit they are remitted whose sins ye retaine they are retained shewing what kinde of power it is be giueth The like sense and construction is made by Cyrill or the Author vnder his name who interpreteth this Receiue the holy Ghost for Take yee the power to forgiue sinnes and to retaine whosoeuer sinnes ye remit c. To the like effect hath Theophilact and that almost in the very same words with Chrisostome Wherefore these words Receiue the holy Ghost is in effect as much as Receiue the gift of God bestowed vpon thée by imposition of hands whether to remit sinnes or retaine sinnes And thus much be spoken for clearing of doubts that arise by occasion of this sentence Chap. 23. Homilies against the word In the first tome of homilies Of swearing By like holy promise the Sacrament of Matrimony knitteth man and wife in perpetuall loue THe Booke from whence this grieuance springeth is taken out is the Booke of homilies set out in the daies of King Edward the sixt of which times and Booke Doctor Ridley Bishop of London who afterwards suffered for the Gospell giueth this iudgement The Church of England then had holy and wholesome Homilies in commendation of the principal vertues Maister Fore pag. 1940. which are commanded in Scripture and likewise other homilies against the most pernicious and capitall vices that vse alas to raigne in the Church of England How the times are altered Then that good Martir saw nothing in them dangerous to holy and wholesome instructions now euery smattrer in Diuinitie can finde intolerable vntruths But to be briefe The Author of the Homilies taketh the word Sacrament for mysterie Sacramentum militia Cicero Lib. 1. de officiis Credimus ne bâ—â— manum sacramentuÌ„ diuino superinducilicere in aliuÌ„ dominum post ChristuÌ„ respoÌ„de â—e Tertul de corona militis as Saint Austin and Ambrose doe with other of the Fathers Secondly in this place somewhat more particularly for the faith plighted twixt couples which was the auncient signification of the word in forraine writers Tully c. who call the oth giuen by the Captaine to the souldiers the oth and Sacrament of warfare In which sense Tertullian vseth the word we thinke saith he a question may be made whether warfare be fit for Christians and whether we beléeue a humane Sacrament may be added ouer and aboue the Diuine Sacrament The Churches of Heluetia in their former confession so take it speaking of what is due to the Magistrate Huie not etiaÌ„st libers simus c vera cum fide subiiciendos esse fidelitatem â—o sacrameÌ„tuÌ„ prastate scimus Heluet confes 1 artic 26. Idest â—usiuraâ— dum quosuis magistr at thus obstringuntur obseruat 2. Ibid. To him we know we are to perfouâ—â—e fidelitie and the Sacrament vpon which place we reade this obseruation Fide litie and the Sacrament that is the oth whereby subiects are tied to their Magistrates Now the meaning of the homilie to be some such thing appeareth both by the title of swearing as also by the words following in this place of holy promises vowes and couenants made and thereupon presently is inferred this scruple here By like holy promise the Sacrament of Matrimonie knitteth man and wife in perpetuall loue that they disire not to be separated for any displeasure or aduersitie that shall happen An euident place to shew what they intended who pend that Homily taking the word Sacrament either particularly for a solemne promise vowed or generally for a holy state ordained of God as Doctor Whitakers noteth Saint Austin tooke the word who honested Mariage by the name of a Sacrament Sacramenti no mine matrimonium Aug. cohâ— nestauit quando cius dignitae tem contra que rundam criminationes defendit quod in illo liâ—ro â—octissimè acsanctissimè fecit What. coÌ„tra DurauÌ„ p. 6â—6 St hoc inquam à pontificits ageretur facilè posset de apellati one conuentre Chemnit de Matrim p. 256. Quia coniugtum est sanctum vita genus divinitus institutum commend atum libenter et tri busmus nomen sacramenti Confes Wittenberg when against certaine mens false criminations he defended the dignitie thereof as he did in that Booke most learnedly and holily That which was done learnedly holily in Austin his booke we liue to the times to heare it censured condemned as done corruptly in the booke of homilies Chemnitius could be content Mariage were called a Sacrament so it might be an aduertisement of she whole doctrine thereof against the doctrine of the diuels and of the heathen if this were intended we might easilie yéeld to the name The confession of VVittenberg saith Because Mariage is a holy kinde of life ordained of God and commanded by him we willingly giue it the name of a Sacrament Take we first or last of these interpretations we shall easily frée these words in the Homily of that waight with which some delight to burden it withall It is directly contrarie to the 25. article of Religion which saith there are but two The other fiue falsly so called The article hath no such words fiue falsely so called but thus commonly so called after which manner so they are because the word Sacrament is more generally vsed but to speake strictlie 〈◊〉 what manner Baptisme the Lord his supper are called Sacraments the booke doth not so take marriage For in the 2. tome of homilies speaking of matrimony there is not somuch as a sillable that soundeth to this purpose where was both time and place to giue it the name of a sacrament if there had been any such meaning But their opposing the book
of homilies to the 25. article is as if a man would by their example knowing they allow but 2. sacraments make them contrarie to themselues who call imposition of hands as it were a sacrament or set M. Caluin against himselfe because in his institutions he alloweth but two sacraments baptisme and the Lord his supper as we doe Manuum signuÌ„ hoc quasi sacramentuÌ„ vsurparunt eccles discip fol. 25. Quantum ad verum presbyte riâ— 0536 0 munus liben ter eoloco habeo Institut lib. 4. c. 19 sect 28. Quod 3. in numero non posui eo factum est quod non ordinarium nec coÌ„mune sed ad cer tam fuÌ„ctionem specialis ritus Ibid. and yet willingly accepteth of the sunction of the ministry to haue that name yet reckoneth it not as a third with baptisme the Lords supper bicause it is neither ordinary nor common with the faithfull but a special rite for a certaine function To take aduantage against that learned writer were very iniurious and can it be honest and godlie dealing to intreat our church thus since in both we know their minde alike For though beside two sacraments M. Caluin mentioneth the office of the ministrie and our homilie maketh matrimony one taking the word at large yet as generally necessary to all the faithfull there are two sacraments onelie which are expresse words which our Catechisme vseth as before cap. 15 hath alreadie beene handled Chap. 24. Plurality of wiues maintained in the fathers In the second tome of homiles 1. sermon of diuerse places of scripture It was permitted to this godlie fathers to haue more wiues then one by a speciall priuiledge or prerogatiue This is directly against the worde WHereunto the answere we make is two fold one in generall concerning the second Booke of Homilies the second is in particular as touching the very place here stumbled at In generall it plainely appeareth that these men Subscribe not to the Booke of articles as they should by a Statute Elizabeth 13. Where among the rest the 35. article is thus The second Booke of Homilies the seuerall titles whereof we haue ioyned vnder this article doth containe a godly wholsome doctrine necessary for these times as doth the former booke of Homilies In particular to the place this answere we giue wherein this course we obserue First we set downe the words in question what they are that it may appeare to such as haue not the book at hand 2. We will shew what reasons there are to approoue these words of the homilie 3. The iudgement of our old and newe writers shall be alleadged For the first these words the Booke hath The pluralitie of wiues was by a speciall prerogatiue suffered to the Fathers of the olde Testament not for satisfying their carnall and fleshly lusts but to haue many children because euery one of them hoped and begged of God oftentimes in their praiers that that blessed seede which God had promised should come into the world to breake the Serpents head might come and be borne of his stocke and kindred Where is to be noted that the question is not of the times of the Gospell nor of the Law nor of the first institution of Mariage when man and woman were created but of the time before the law was written in Tables and giuen by Moses Now that it was no sinne vnto them as they vsed it of whom the homily there speaketh may appeare by diuerse reasons which the godly learned did giue First a brother was to raise vp seede to his brother that died without issue Secondly children borne of both wiues at once were legitimate which could not be if poligamse that is pluralitie of wiues at once had beene the sin of adulterie Thirdly the Iewes had answered little Ioh. 8.33.37.39.56 wheÌ„ being accused to be an adulterous generation they replyed they had Abraham to their Father not onely in a spirituall but a naturall propagation For Abraham had more wiues at once Gen. 31.51 1 Ioh. 3.9 Fourthly Iacob had Labans two daughters and Laban charged him he shall take no more Fiftly in asmuch as these words are the words of truth that a man borne of God sinneth not that is continueth in sin a very offensiue spéech it is to say that the Patriarks Abraham Iacob c. did continue in a sinne successiuely continually without repentance Non licuisse patribus simul plures vxores habere nisi ad delineandum mysterium Instin mart in Tryph. Deum illis primis temporibus polygamian exegisse Clem. Alexan. lib. 4. Strom. Permissum fuit cum duabus etc Chrisost homil 56. in Gen. Vt humanum genus propagaretur pietatis incrementuÌ„ caperet Ibid. Eo tempore nondum adulteriuÌ„ lege prohibituÌ„ amore posteritatis non ardoris libidine id factum de consensâ—â— vxoris ad aliquid significanduÌ„ quod futurum erat vt in Agar 3. Sara Ambros de Abra. et lib. 1. c. 4. and therefore it may well be thought that the Lord of his speciall mercy did beare with them and what is that but a rule which we may not make generall If so then surely a speciall priuiledge that it was permitted Countenance to this sentence giue the ages aforetime and since Aforetime Iustin Martir Clem. Alexandrinus Chrisostom Ambrose Ierom Austin c. Iustin Martir The fathers might not haue many wiues at once but to shadow out some mysterie Clem. Alexandrinus God did in those former times exact poligamie Chrisost Because then were the beginnings it was permitted to be coupled with two or more wiues at once that mankinde might be inlarged receiue increase of godlinesse and vertue Ambrose At that time adultery was not forbid by law and what they did was for loue of posteritie not through heat of lust and with consent of the wife and to signifie somewhat was to come as in Agar and Sara Ierom thus Seiebat Apostolus lege concessuÌ„ exemplo Patriarcharum ac Moses familiare populo nouerat in multis vxoribusliberos spargere HieroÌ„ in epist ad OceaÌ„ Sufficienda prolis causa erat vxorum plurium simul vni viro habendarum inculpabilis consuetudo Aug. de doctrina Christiana lib. 3. c. 12. Ibid. cap. 18. St naturam coÌ„sulas non lasciutends causa vtebatur si mereÌ„ c contra Faust Manch lib. 22. c. 47. Nulli vnquam licitum fuit siâ—ne diuina dispeÌ„ satione plures simul vxores habere Innoc. 3 c Gaudemus de Diuortiis Polygamiam Deus inter Isra elitas probauit Melanct. epitom Ethicor. Specialis casus fuit patrum polygamia quae peculiarem rationem habuit Heming de diuort pag. 36. Polygamia vsurpata patribuscitra culpam nobis nullam legem coÌ„stituit Bullin decad 2 serus 10. Deum illis legeÌ„ suam remisisse quia cos non videmus vspiam ea de causa reprehendi Pet. Mart. 1 Sam 25. The Apostle knew it was graunted by law and
by the example of the Patriarks and Moses also was not ignorant that it was familiar with the Iewes to haue children by many wiues Saint Austin in diuerse places with more then these at this time we will not trouble our selues nor our Reader An vnblameable custome it was for one man to haue diuerse wiues And then one might with a more chall mind haue had more then now some one can haue but one Speaking in defence of Iacob the Patriarke against one FaÌ„ustus an Hereticke Sinnes some are against nature some against custome some against the Commandement If you consult nature not for wantonnesse but for generation sake he did vse more wiues if you respect custome at that time and in those places it was the fashion if you aske what Commaundement it was by no law forbidden Innocent He saith It was neuer lawfull for any to haue more wiues together at one time without some Diuine dispensation or priuiledge Of later times All the best approoued writers speake in behalfe of it some more some lesse and how euer with some difference yet all in fauour thereof Philip Melancthon Hemingius Bullinger Peter Martyr Beza Perkins and Bucan professor of Diuinitie in Lausanna The first of these that are named saith God approued among the Isralites the hauing of many wiues at one time Hemingius The case of the Fathers was speciall in hauing many wiues at once and there was reason for it For God did winke hereat in the people of Israel that by this means he might make way for his faith he had giuen them that an innumerable multitude should spring vp from a very few Bullinger writeth Mariage of many wiues in the Fathers without fault in them is no law for vs. Peter Martyr in diuerse of his Bookes It is manifest vnto vs that God did remit and slacken his law to them because we nowhere find they are reprooued by any of the Prophets c. Againe in the same place Nolim coâ— nimium aggranare Ibid. Vitiâ— ne vertas fuit enim tempore illo huiusmodâ— res libera adiophora Idem in Gens c. 29.27 Deus tollerauit in populo suâ— polygamian Bez. de polyg et diuor Potest tameÌ„ ex cusari quia ad propagationem humans generis velsalteâ— ad propagationem â—cclesiâ— pertine bat Perk. Arâ— milla â—urea p. 78. Armâ—ttoâ— 600000. è Iacobi familia duccutum annorum spatio Id. prolegam Chronol Polygamia qua quis Vuo tempore plures habuit Vxores patrobus indulta suit non casciuienda sed gignenda pie sobolis gratia tum quia iam erant tum temporis mores politici tum vt esseâ— aditus quidam quo Deus promissions suade innumerabâ—â—i sobolâ— expauets oritura locum daret Bucan Institut loc 12 There is no doubt but the Fathers had faults inough yet when they may be safely defended I could not lay on load And writing of Iacob hauing two sisters his wines at one time Reprooue him not For then such a matter was free and indifferent Master Beza his sentence is God tolerated Poligamie in his people Master Perkins our countreyman The Marlage of the Patriarches with many wiues though it cannot be so well defended yet may it be excused because it did rather pertaine to the increasing of mankinde or at the least to the increase of Gods Church And in his preface to his Chronologies he obserueth the increase by Polygamie such as 600000. fighting men were sprung vp of Iacobs familie within the space of 200 yeeres Bucanus writeth of those times of many wiues to one man Polygamie saith he Wherein a man had many wiues at one time was of speciall fauour graunted to the Fathers not for wantonnesse but for increase of a godly issue as also because of the pollicie of that time was such and another cause that God might make way for his promise in raising vp an innumerable multitude of so small a company That can be no reason neither the one nor the other Not the first as that it was the propagation of mankinde for then it should haue begun with Adam Because his times had most neede in that respect when there was no more but ' hee The other is no reason that it was for increse of Gods Church For then should it bee permitted now because the true professors of the Gospell are but few to speake of inrespect of Atheiests Papists and other enimies of Christ his Church This reply is made by some great friends to this accusatioÌ„ vndertake against the Communion booke but how weakly an indifferent Reader may soone iudge For first in the daies of Adam it might haue seemed most needfull to haue giuen this liberty if so the Lord had created more then one woman which bee did not As for the other that came after by propagation they were his daughters or nieces and therefore herein appeareth a let Secondly God the lawgiuer from whom kings and princes take direction for their best laws knew well a law is best kept when it is first made Now to dash it in the prime by a contrarie practise at the first and to stifle it in the birth had beene with the soonest These as others also best known to the Lord might be the causes why at the first that was not approued which was after borne withall For the other clause of their obiection where they infer If for spreading and increasing Gods Church then it should be now in vse That sequel is no good consequeÌ„t Because the worshippe of God is not within the place of Jewrie now as it was then But the sound of it is gon throughout the whole world and euery place fitteth for the Lord his seruice in respect of what it did then Now saith Saint Austin of all sorts of men and all nations the members may be gathered to the people of God and the cittie of the kingdome of heauen Ex omni hominum gâ—nâ—râ— atquâ— omnibus gâ—Ì„ tibus adpopulâ—Ì„ Dei et ciuit ateÌ„ regni calorum â—embra colligi possunt August de virgm cap 9 Besides these thers are others giuen by the fathers why the Lord did be are with his people They whose leisure it is to view what hath beene cited for testimony herein may bee intreated to lay these reasons together which our fathers and brethren graue as also the manner of speach they grace this question withall Exacted required approued tolerated dispensed withall wincked at permitted graunted For all these they shall finde as these also vsuall lawfull misticall a custome no way culpable without blame free indifferent a speciall case and say the most against it Such a one it is as may be excused and a reason giuen for it All which speaches diligently perused let men say whither the booke of homilies might not well deliuer that sentence as it doth It is directly against the word of God and his first institution of marriage Gen. 2.24 Malac. 2.15 Rom. 7.10.1 Cor. 16.6.1 Cor. 7.2
It is without sense Or euer your pots be made hote with thornes so let ind ignation vex him euen as a thing that is now Psalme 58.8 The difficulty in this place commeth hence Quia vox hebraa ollas et spinas significat subobscurus est hic locus c. Marlor Vulg. Marlo Tremel Stephan et alii because one and the same word signifieth a pot and a thorne Before the thorues shoot vppe or as a thing that is raw suddainelie tooke out of the pot ere the thornes crackle vnder both which interpretations giuen by learned men giue aime to one and the same marke shewing the speedinesse of Gods iudgement by two similitudes in one verse herein our vulgar english translation is to be thought no more senselesse then that which Marlorat and Auias Montanus follow vnlesse men whose exceptions these are intend to disgrace the originall who is in this an example to our communion booke and either both are free or both accessary to this senselesse imputation 7. It is without sense When the company of speere-men and multitudes of the mighty are scattered abroad among the beasts of the people so that they humblie bring peeces of siluer and when hee hath scattered the people that delight in war Psal 68.30 words no more voide of sense then are other translations This here deliuered by way of prophesie the other haue it by way of praier This onely in a third person that other in a second and a third As for the sense it is plaine to anie mans reading that the verse speaketh of subdueing the enemie not the multitudes onely and basersort doing homage in bringing peeces of siluer but their Captaines to and all those whose delight is in warxe Ratio secunda That forasmuch as wee are able to discerne that there is contradiction 1. To the booke of Articles which denieth that confirmation hath any visible signe Where as the last prayer in confirmation maketh imposition of handes to certifie the children of Gods fauour and gratious goodnes towards them Nor hath confirmation any visible signe as the word visible signe is taken for a visible element which euery sacrament hath namely in baptisme there is water in the Lords supper bread and wine but Confirmation hath no such thing For imposition of hands is a cirrumstance of action not a matter of substance as in a Sacrament euery visible signe is To this sense speakes the 25. article Confirmation hath not like nature of a Sacrament with Baptisme and the Lords Supper for that it hath not any visible signe or ceremonie that is any visible Element for signe or ceremonie ordained of God In which words it meaneth by signe a Sacramentall signe consisting of an outward earthly Element and substance so confirmation hath no visible signe As for that other of imposition of hands it is a signe of Episcopall action namely to certifie children confirmed vpon the prayer of the Bishop how God hath beene fauorable and good vnto them in that they are borne of beléeuing parents baptized into Christ brought vnto the knowledge of his grace will as is found by examining them in the principles of their holy faith c. Wherefore the Bishop praieth ouer them for increase of grace and vseth withall imposition of hands to certifie them by this signe of Gods fauour and goodnes towards them By which ceremonie saith Master Iunius the holy Apostles and Orthodox Fathers of sound iudgement would haue signified that a Christian man indued with repentance Qua cerimoÌ„ia sancti Apostoli orthodoxi patres significatuÌ„ voluerunt ChristianuÌ„ homincÌ„ resipiscentia et fide praditum atque ecclesia insitum vbilegi time probatus esset mancipari domino consecrari ad voca tionem suam sancte relligiose obeundam c. Iun. Paral lib. 3. c. 6. Libers Christiancrum statim post partum vt membra ecclesie baptizabaÌ„tur post quam noâ—nihil adeleuissent institueban tur impositione mannum confirmabantur ac dimittebantur ex coetu Catechumenorum ita vt liceret illis deinde adcaenaâ— accedere Vrsin Proleg Catechis pag 3. and faith and ingrafted into the Church after he hath been lawfully approoued of is giuen in seruice to the Lord and consecrated to goe thorough his calling whether generally as a Christian or particular this and that in a holy and religious manner Answerably vnto this vse of the Fathers and receiued by our Church Master Vrsinus speaking of persons to be Baptized hath these words The children of Christian parents presently after they were borne as meÌ„bers of the Church were baptized after that they were pretily shot vp they were instructed and by imposition of hands confirmed were dismissed out of the company of the Catechized so as they might after wards lawfully approch to the Lords Table This holy auncient custome to fore commendably vsed our Church at this day continueth But see more of this in this second part Cap. 11. 2. Contradictory to it selfe by affirming in the Catechisme that there are but two Sacraments and yet ascribing to Confirmation all things that are required to the being of a Sacrament either in that Booke or in the Booke of Articles It the Catechisme affirme there are but two Sacraments how are these exceptions at variance with themselues that men knowing and acknowledging so much yet both before in this Booke as also in the fourth reason here following in the fourth instance séeme to inforce by their sophistications that the Catechisme implieth there are more then two Againe it is false where it is said the Booke of Articles ascribes to Confirmation all things that are required to the being of a Sacrament as may appeare in the point before handled and the 25.27.28 Acticles expresly shew to the contrarie Ratio 3. That in our best vnderstanding it containeth in it some vntruths The third maine reason is to purpose if it can as well proue as it is ill alleadged But let vs examine the allegations as they are brought in order 1. Innocents are said to be Gods witnesses and to haue confessed and shewed his praise not in speaking but in dying This sentence here charged for an vntruth the Church of God hath taught heretofore Fro Christo trucidatos infaÌ„ tes inter marty res coronart Bern serm 1. de Innocent Si quaris eoruÌ„ apud Deum merita vt coro narentur qua re apuâ— Herodem crimina vt trucidarentur An fortè minor Christi pietas quam Herodis impietas vt ille quidem potuerit innoxios neci dare Christus non potuit propter e occises coronare ibid. Audi quod iniâ— ria non affectisint sed doronas mâ—ruerunt Theophi in Math cap. 2. Quod pueri prodommo oceisi sunt significat per humilisatis merstum ad câ—ron aÌ„martyrit esse veâ—ionduÌ„ Haimo part hyem desanct Innocen Iudaet martyruÌ„ sanguine reduÌ„dante Hilar. Can. 1. in Mat. Hercdis furor infantum mors populi
Iudates in Christi anos sausentis est forma c. Beatorum mar tyrum caede posâ— se c. In aternitatis profectum per martyrii gloriam efferchantur Ibid. Pro Christo potuerunt pati quum nondum poterant confiters August â—m Epipha â—erm 6. inserm 23. de tempore Non habebates atatem qua in passurum Chrustum crederetâ—â— sed habebatis carnem in qua pro Christo passuro passionem sustineretis Ib. Non â—rustra infantes illos qui cum â—ominus Iesus necandus quareretur occisilunt in honorem martyrum receptos commend it ecclesia Id. de lib. arbit lib. 3. c. 23. epist â—â— Hier. Homil de sanctis lib. 2. de symb ad Catechu c. 5. as the auncient Fathers witnesse Bernard who was some 5. hundred years since hath these words Can any doubt that the infants which were slaine in Christ his stéede are crowned among the Martyrs And méeting with an obiection that might be made If you aske saith he what they deserued at Gods hands that they were crowned aske also what fault they had done that they were murdred vnlesse peraduenture Christ his pietie were lesse then Herods impietie that the tyrant coulâ— put harmelesse infants to death and Christ could not crowne them who were killed for his sake Theophilact who was some 900. yeares after Christ writeth thus That Herod his malice may be shewen must iniurie be néeds done the little ones Heare therefore they were not iniuried but iustly obtained crownes Haimo some 800. yeares after Christ writes in his Postilly vpon this feast day of the Innocents In that the children were slaine for the Lord Christ it implieth that by the accepted worke of humilitie the way is to the crowne of Martyrdome c. Hilarie who was some 400. yéeres and vpward after Christ in his exposition vpon Saint Mathew speaking of these babes their death saith Iewrie did abound in the blood of Martyrs And presently after thus Herod his fury and the death of the infants is a forme or patterne of the people of the Iewes raging against the Christians and thinking that with the slaughter of blessed Martyrs they can extinguish the name of Christ And speaking of those words in the Prophet Rahel would not be comforted because they were not c. They were caried vp into the aduancement of eternitie by the glory of Martyrdome Saint Austin who was somewhat before Saint Hilarie The infants saith he could suffer for Christ though they could not as yet confesse him Againe in another place yee were not of age to beleeue in Christ who was to suffer but yet ye had flesh of your owne wherein yee could indure the Passion for Christ who was to suffer And in his third Booke of free will The Church doth not in vaine commend the infants receiued into the honor of martyrs which were slaine by Herod c. Which very selfe same sentence he remembreth verbatim in his Epistle to Saint Ierom Copious in this argument are his Homilies of the Saints in foure senerall Sermons calling the Innocentes Martyrs and their death Martyrdome and in his second Booke de symbolo ad Catechumenos the fifth Chap. c. Before him Saint Origen homil 3. maketh mention of them after this manner Horum memoria semper vt dignum est in ecclesits celebratur secundum integrum ordinem sactorum vt primorum martyrum c Origen homil 3. in diuersos Benè secundum voluntateÌ„ Dei corum memoriam sancti patres celebrari maÌ„dauerunt seÌ„ piternam in ecclesus velut pro domino morien tium Ibid. Ecle paruuli esti quos hostis natura crudelitatis monstruÌ„ Herodes occidit subito fiuÌ„t mar tyres dum vice Christi pro Christo CypriaÌ„ de stella Magis Testimonâ—igrave um quod non poteraÌ„t sermone per hibent passione Ilid Spangenberg Postil Ista tam tristi tragaedia cruen tam ecclesiae Christs imaginem delintauit Centur. 1 lib 1 cap 3. Vt Abel primâ—s veteris testamenti â—artyr fuit cuius sanguis ad DeuÌ„ clamauit it a isti primi in nouo test amento propter Iesum Christum recisi sint gloriosa mar tyris corona redimiti vitam hanc mortalem cum immortali commutauerunt cum illâ— nunc in coelis viuunt Gualter homil 18. in Math. 2. The memory of these infants alwaies is celebrated in our Churches as it is meete according to the intire order of the saints that Bethlehem it selfe where the Sauiour was borne may seeme to offer vnto the Lord the first fruits of the Martyrs Anone after VVell therefore and according to the will of God the holy Fathers haue giuen in charge that there be celebrated a perpetuall memorie of them as dying for the Lord. No new deuise in his time but long before as it appeareth by his writing Saint Cyprian or the Author vnder his name Behold these little ones whom Herode the enemy of nature and and monster of crueltie did kill are suddainly become Martyrs and whilest in steede of Christ and for Christ pulled from their mothers breast and slaine they beare witnesse by suffering what they could not by their speech All which testimonies as they are nothing if Scripture were against them so the Scripture no where gainsaying we shall doe ill to gainsay the testimonie of so many ages succéeding one another and that for many hundred yeares confirming what but lately is denied without sufficient proofe to the contrary And yet though lately denied by some few among vs not to speake of our own Church here at home other our brethren in the same faith learned writers of these times approoue the order we do Spangenbergius as may be seene in his postill they of Merdenburg in their Centures note that God by this heauie Tragedie hath shaddowed out the bloody image of Christs Church Which historie of theirs would not fit to such a purpose if their were no comparison twixt them and the Church of Christ Master Gualter in his 18. Homily vpon Saint Mathew writes thus As Abel was the first Martyr of the olde Testament whose blood cried vnto God so these infants were the first which were slaine in the newe Testament for Iesus Christ and crowned with a glorious crowne of Martyrdome haue changed this mortall life for an immortall and now liue with him in the heauens Beside all these auncient and late authorities this argument may iustifie what our Church doth They in whom Christ is persecuted and put to death may be held for Martyrs But in those innocent children Christ was persecuted and put to death For such was the tyrants purpose and so Christ accounteth what is done to little ones for his sake as done vnto him Therefore may they be thought blessed Martyrs not in speaking for they were infants but in dying Non pro fide Christs nec pro iustitia occubâ—â—â— ruÌ„t sed pro fide Christo id est loco Christs Ludol not properly Martyrs
in deede can they that in Saint Iude. For being an historie and histories Saint Iude relateth plainelie in their letter as the fall of the Angels v. 6. Sodom and Gomorrah v. 7. wee must iudge the like of it which literall plaine sense while men haue left they haue digged them pits that hold noe water and haue made strange interpretations more intricate then the text some vnderstanding the bodie of Moses for the law some for the Gospell others for the people of the Iewes others taking Moses put for Iosua all which cast a mist before the Sunne and no maruell then if wee easilie mistake Non hoc dico quod praedecesso res meos morde am aut quicquam de his ar bitrer detrahen dum Hieron Sophronio This wee speake not to bite our predicessors or that wee would detract ought from them The letter of the historie is plaine that Michael a chiefe Angel in the Lords hoast appointed by God as sometimes one is for one businesse sometimes another for another resisted the deuill about the bodie of Moses when Sathan would haue made it a stumbling blocke for Israel to commit Idolatrie as they were forwarde inough so highlie they esteemed of him and no maruill For not a like Prophet was there in Israel whome the Lord knew face to face Deut. 34.10 A historie this is not found in other scriptures 2. Tim. 3.8 no more is the name of Iannes and Iambres Iud. 14. nor is that of Enoch prophecying in those wordes Iude 14. nor manie such like which the Iewes might haue by tradition from their fathers by worde of mouth or by some other bookes which recorded diuerse other matters of truth not mentioned in Scripture For wee doubt not that the fathers told their children manie things of fact such as were true and done in the generations aforetime not set downe in Gods booke yet this no warrant to conclude insufficiencie of Scripture as if there wanted anie thing necessarie to saluation nor giueth it countenaunce vnto popish traditions that doe contrarie to the Scriptures As for the other place in the Thessalonians it distinguisheth expressie the Archangel from Christ 1. Thes 4.16 The Lorde himselfe Christ shall come from heauen with a shoote and with the voyce of the Archangell and with thee trumpet of God c. ArchangeluÌ„ no minat quasi dâ—â— cem exercitus Archangelus praeconis ossicio fuÌ„getur Quan quaÌ„ enim c. Tamen vt in ordinihus fieri solet primariuÌ„ ftatuis vnum qui alâ—is pracinat Marlorat in 1. Thes 4.16 Where the Apostle nameth the Archangell Captaine as it were of the hoast The Archangell shall performe the office of a cryer For although it bee common to all the Angels Mathew 13. and 14. yet as in orders the Lord sets down one chiefe to e gouernour vnto the rest to blow before theÌ„ Beside all this we haue spoken more we might adde out of the fathers councels scholasticall writers But wee haue beene alreadie long inough in this point and therefore this shall suffice 2. Doubt It affirmeth baptisme in an house merelie priuate seemeth hereby to nourish the superstitious opinion of the necessitie thereof Looke the aunswer before part 1. cap. 32. pag. 191. 3. Doubt It alloweth the minister to vse conditionall baptisme in the publike congregation after the child hath beene priualie baptized in this forme in the name c. The booke saieth not that the childe after it hath beene priuately baptised shal be baptised publikly but contrariwise in these expresse termes If thou bee not baptised already N. I baptise c. And why this order is misliked wee knowe not neither doth the authors giue a reason For if it bee meete to speake of thinges as they are then of doubtful things wee may speake doubtfuly And yet this practtise here mentioned being seldome or neuer for ought we heare it is rather set downe by way of preuention then that wee knowe any such thing is done and as it is a supposition so vpon supposition onely proceedeth 4. Doubt It saieth there be two sacraments onelie as generall necessarie vnto saluation wherein it is dangerouslie implied that there are more then two In the second reason and the second instance thereof it is confessed that in the Catechisme there are but â— which is a truth And how suddainly men are changed to denie so much or captiously to inforce the contrarie But see before part 2. Chapter 14. 5. Doubt It alloweth priuate Communion betweene the minister and the sicke people Read hereof before part 2. Chapter 10. 6. Doubt It affirmeth that our ceremonies tend to edification and are apt to stir vp the dull minde of man to the remembrance of his duetie to God by some speciall not able signification whereby he may be edified Not amisse so to affirme For our speech gesture behauiour attire and the like ordinarie as they are put vs in minde of our selues how much more may those rites cereinonies apparrell and the like which the church of God doth ordaine for time of diuine seruice But see more hereafter 7. It calleth ministers Priests a thing auoided by the holie Ghost in the new testament as belonging to sacrifices The holie Ghost giuing the name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to our minister which is the originall whence Priest is deriued giueth no other name but what the communion booke calleth them by Sée before part 2. Chapter 6. 8. It appointeth the minister to say to the sicke person I by Christ his authoritie committed vnto mee do absolue thee from all thy sinnes Well may it For the order prescribed is thus In visitation of the sicke the minister beginneth with prayer in generall for the whole Church and then more particularly doubleth trebleth and multiplieth his prayer in behalfe of the person thus visited exhorts him to a godlie patience in bearing his sicknesse to an vnfained repentance for his sinnes a solemne promisse of amendment of life to a setled confidence in the mercies of God thorough Christ to an earnest begging of God the forgiuenesse of sinne to an humble thanksgiuing for the Lords fatherly chasticement as for all other blessings vouchsafed with a full bequest wholy commending him selfe to his blessed will whither in remouall or continuing increasing or deminishing his paine whither health or otherwise life or death what euer may come Afterwarde shâ— minister proceedeth to a more particular examination of the sicke man his faith how he stands resolued against the terrors of death c. satisfying him in such doubts as shall then be ministred And if the partie haue made a generall profession of his faith and sorrow for sinne then is hee moued to a more speciall confession opening his griefe more particularlie if he feele his conscience burdened therewith And satisfaction being giuen this way the temptation subdued the wound cured the terrors of death vanquished by spirituall and wholsome doctrines of the Gospell
Videmus ministros ipsos vt de remissione peccatorum certiâ—res reddant coÌ„ scientias testes ac sponsores Cal. Institut lib. 3. c. 4.12 Nec minor is efficatiâ— aut fructus est priuata absolutio vbi ab tis petitur qui singula ri remedso ad infirmitatem suam subleuandam opus habeÌ„t Ibid. 14. Secretum animi valnus aperuerit atque illam Euangelii vocem pecu liariter ad se directam audiâ—rit Tibi c. Ibid. Animum confir mabit ad seâ—iritatem illaque qua prius astuabat trepidatione liberabitur Ibid. Priuata absolutio in ecclâ— siâ—s retinenda est quanquam in confessione non sit necessaria omnium delectorum confessio Aug. confes artic 11. De confess priuata facienda pastoribus affirmamâ—s ritum priuata absolutionis in ecclesia retineÌ„dum constanter retinemus propter multas graâ—ts causas Confess Saxon 1. the minister who is in Gods steede a pledge and suretie for furder securing a troubled soule shall apply these wordes Our Lord Iesus Christ who hath left power to his Church to absolue all sinners which truelie repent and beleeue in him of his great mercie forgiue thee all thy sinnes in the name of the father c. Priuate absolution is of no lesse power and efficacie then the publike when it is sought for by them who haue neede of this singular remedie for easing their infirmitie For when the partie shall haue laid open his sore and shall heare from the mouth of the Lords minister the wordes of the Gospell directed peculiarlie vnto him Thy sinnes are forgiuen thee Bee of good comfort it will establish his minde in securitie so as hee shal bee deliuered from that torment of feare wherewith with before he was miserablie vexed and disquieted This Godlie and comfortable practise of our Church of verie great vse if it were in more vse Maister Caluin much commendeth as the marginal quotations may proue and so doe other Churches as appeareth in their confessions Priuate absolution is to be retained although in confession a particular recitall of all and euerie particular sinne bee not necessarie Againe the Churches of Saxonie thus Concerning priuate confession to bee made vnto the pastors wee affirme the rite and manner of priuate absolution to be retained in the Church and wee doe constantlie retaine it for manie weightie causes Afterwarde it followeth As Dauid was confirmed heareâ—â—g of this absolution The Lord hath taken away thy sinne 2. Reg. 12. so thou mayest know that the voice of the Gospell preacheth vnto thee forgiuenesse of sinne which in absolution is by name expounded vnto thee Qua in absolutione tibi nomi natim exponttur Ibid. In specie homini peccatori in nomine Sanct. Trinit diciturâ— Tibi remissa sunt peccata oÌ„nia Priuatam absolutionem recitanit Christus paralytico Luc. Osian Institut c. 8. Prituata absolutione absoluit Christus Ibid. Priuata confessionis vsut apud nos seruatur c. Chemâ—it de Confess pag. 216. Remittuntur peccata per Dei verbum cuius Leuites â—nter pres quidam exequutor â—st Amb. de Cain Abel lib. 2. c. 4. Per spiritum sanctum peccata donantur homines autom in remissionem peccatorum ministerium suum exhibent non iusalicuius potesta t is exercent Neque enim in sua nomine sed c. Illi rogant sed diusnitas donaâ— humanum enim obsequium sed munificentia superna est potestatis Amb. de spiritu sancto lib. 3. cap. 19. Lucas Osiander in his institution sayeth Priuate absolution bringes verie exceeding great comfort to afflicted consciences when in speciall it is said to a sinner in the name of the holie Trinitie All thy sinnes are forgiuen thee Christ recited priuate absolution to the man sicke of the palsie When he saide bee of good courage thy sinnes are forgiuen thee And in priuate absolution Christ absolued the woman a sinner saying thy sinnes are forgiuen thee Chemnitius confesseth the like in these wordes The vse of priuate confession is preserued with vs c. Infinite other allegations might wee produce to witnesse this truth But the conclusion wee make with 2. places in Saint Ambrose the first is in his second booke of Cain and Abel sinnes are forgiuen by the worde of God whose Leuite is a certaine interpreter and exequutor thereof The other place is in his third booke of the holie Ghost cap. 19. Sins are forgiuen by the holie Ghost but men do proffer their ministrie in forgiuenesse of sin not that they exercise a right of any power for sins are forgiueÌ„ not in their own name but in the name of the father son c. They aske the godhead giueth It is mans seruice but the munificence is froÌ„ a higher power So as the sum of all is answerable to the beginning mentioned in the Rubrick The minister doth absolue but not in any absolute power as of his own for to God doth but in that power which is commited vnto him namely ministeriall for so as the minister of God and interpreter of his will hee may well doe Ratio quinta That the holie scriptures are disgraced by it We cannot nor dare commend much lesse may wée subscribe to such a book which disgraceth the holie scriptures and therefore wee shall doe well to see into this accusation that if it be true wee may doe so more if false it may returne to the disgrace of the penman whither one or mo that thus complaine The proofs follow in order which are thus particularized 1. The name of the holie scriptures are giuen vnto the Apocrypha which are named parts of the old testament No more disgrace intended or done the Canonicall scriptures by our reverend fathers which drew the forme of the Communion booke then was either done or intended by those auncients who many hundred yeares agoe did giue that name to the book we call Apocriphall And sure we are neither of them haue disgraced the scriptures of the Hebrue Canon by this appellation as they and wee vnderstand it The reason wherefore they did call these Apocripha holie scriptures is threefold Tribus de causis maximè occasione argumè to vsu Iun. Contro lib. 1.5.4 Quòd cum Iudei in duotordines diuisi essent Ibid. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 qui alibi agentes vbiuis locorum c. Ibid. Ecclesia Christs an a prisca diuersum canâ—neÌ„ a ludais accepit c. Ibid. Grâ—acam scripturam ab eccle sits Iudaeorum hellenist arum auctam si resecuissit c. PublicuÌ„ autem offendere religio erat c. Ibid. QuamobreÌ„ isti libri vt traditi fuerant permanserunt Ibid. Horum libroruÌ„ argumentum de rebus sacris ac non profanis c. Ibid. that is to say namely because of the occasion 2. the argument 3. the vse The occasion was this because when the Iewes were diuided into 2. orders some vsing their hebrue tongue and abiding in Iewrie kept the hebrue text of
auncienter when it seemeth Rabanus Maurus writ vpon this argument These last 1000. yeares wee will cut off and looke to the times before Which if we doe it appeareth when they were much more sparing they yet had some one garment or other distinct from others which they vsed onely in publike offices of the Church Witnesse the councell of Brage and before it the councell of Toledo and before them both the councell of Carthage in the daies of Saint Austin Of which time Saint Hierom for he was not much elder then that reuerend Austin writeth that some garmeÌ„ts were distinctly appropriated to Ecclesiastical and publike vse Which may be seene in his first book against Pelag. who cauilled at such attire as contrarie to Gods word What offence saith that good Father is it if a Bishop Presbyter and Deacon and the rest of that Ecclesiasticall order goe before in a white garment at the administration of the Sacraments Which if any shall thinke that other Christians not Clergiemen did weare his wordes vpon Ezech cap. 44. manifest the contrarie Diuine Religion hath another atttire in the ministerie and another in a common vse and life This himselfe proued in his owne practise For one Nepotian a Presbiter dying left him a garment which hee vsed as hee saieth the ministrie of Christ The historie is this Nepotian taking his Vnckle by the hand this coate or garment quoth hee which I did vse in the ministrie of Christ send to my wel beloued my Father for age c. meaning Ierom by that appellation Where it seemeth no vsuall and ordinary attire but some choise and speciall one for hee intends it as a pledge of his last loue and kindenesse which hee did bequeath vnto him secondly we may note it was such a one as he did not continually weare but at times in publike duties of his calling for hee was a Presbiter and in the ministrie of Christ he did vse it But proceede wee on forwarde much about this time in the Greeke Church some vniforme attire was also receiued among the Clergie as Chrisosotome remembreth in diuers places In his homilies to the people of Antioch Hac vestra dig nitas est hac ouâ— nis corona non vt albam splendentem tu nicam circumeatis amicti Chrisost homil 60. ad populum Anticchen Haec est dignitas vestra haec stabilitas haec corona noÌ„ quia tunicam induts caÌ„didissimaÌ„ per ecclesiam ambu latis ld homil 83. in Math. Trecenti circiter anni c. Auctor quaestioÌ„ vet nous Testam c. 44. Quod mulier non sit creata ad imaginem Dei Qq. 21. quod Melchisedech foerit spiri tus sâ—nctus Q. 1091 quod Ada non habuerit spirituns sactuÌ„ Quast 123. Idolatria ad misit per quod peccauerat in Deum c. Q. 8â— His in vrbe Roma Q. 115. Quasi non bâ—diè Diacons Dalâ—â— a â—icis induantur sucut Episceps Id. cap 46. Vtea cirâ—â—â—â—amictus ministerium sacri baptismatis adimpleret Tri partâ—â— histor lib. 5. cap. 35. and in his homilies vpon S. 0725 Mat. For blaming the priests or Ministers for their negligence not caring who receiued or how but admitted all to the Lord his Table without difference This is your dignity crowne c. and not to goe about in your goodly white shining garments c. Againe in his Homilies vpon Saint Mathew to the like purpose in words not much differing This is your dignitie this your constancie this your crowne and not because you walke vp and downe in the Chruch in your white coate or garment About some 300. yeares after Christ for it séemeth to be no more by the Author of the questions vpon the olde and new Testament cap. 44. for after the birth of Christ about some 300. yeares were runne out then is witnessed that a distinction of ecclesiasticall garments from others in the publike seruice was in vse That authour we call him and not Saint Austin both because of the times wherein he liued was somewhat auncienter as appeareth before because but 300. yeares after Christ as also because of diuers opinions not soundly deliuered as quest 21. that the woman was not created after the image of God that Adam sinned the sinne of Idolatrie quest 83. that Melchisedech was the holy Ghost quest 1091. and that Adam had not the holy spirit quest 123. c. yet notwithstanding these dangerous pointes handled contrary to Scripture and Saint Austin Beside another prose there is because the Author of this booke quest 115. liued at Rome so did not Saint Austine yet we say notwithstanding all this he may be credited in a matter of fact as to say what was donne for therefore we alleadge him namelie that Bishops and Deacons in his time did weare Dalmatish garmentes that is a kinde of ecclesiasticall attire before this time In these hundred yeares wherein the Church had breathing after her sore long wasting persecution we haue farder proofe in the daies of Constantine who good Emperor gaue a distinct holie garment to Macarius to weare in administring Baptisme and Theodoret recording the same reports an example of a Stage-player who for bringing this baptizing garment vppon a Stage to daunce in it fell sodainly downe and dyed Qua indutus quidam canta torscenicus inter saltandum collapsus interist c. Theodor lib. 2. cap. 27. Eusebius in his Ecclesiasticall storie the tenth booke and fourth Chapter chronicling the great ioy which was among Christians in good Constantin his raigne pauseth his stile in the gratulatorie triumphes which were made at the solemnizing the dedication of a Church built in Tyre of Phoenicia where a man of good account prepared a graue godly exhortation in the presence of Paulinus that holy and reuerend Bishoppe with a many other Ecclesiasticall persons then assembled in their ornamentes and sacred attire reaching downe to their feete 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Euseb lib. 10. cap. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It may bee no such store of proofes can be yeelded for the times within the 300. yeeres after Christ And no meruasle good Christians they had no open Churches but secret places to serue God in well content if they might haue then but foode and raiment with the small libertie of the Gospell which they inioyed no otherwise then as a man that eates stolne bread Yet so farre as the Records of that time may deserue credit so wee finde that 60. yeeres before the dayes of Constantin a peculiar vestiment was appointed for celebrating the oCmmunion Singulari vesti tu queâ—â— sacra tum dixerunt indui licuit sa cerdotibus in Eucharistia Centur. 3. cap. 6. pag. 146. This decree the Protestants of Meidenburg in their Centuries referre to the times of Stephen Bishop of Rome who afterwardes as did many else his Predecessors and Successors for it was in those best times layed downe his life for the testimony of the Lord Iesus Higher then 200.
words These words are read the 24. Sunday after Trinitie But frée from corruption vnlesse the harmonie of the Gospell be charged herewith for it saith asmuch vnlesse also the scriptures in S. Luke c. 8.54 and S. Marke in Syriack Talitha Cumi cap. 5.41 for relating the same historie he found guiltie of this sinne yea vnlesse also they that vrge these things against the testimonie of S. Marke and S. Luke be able to tell vs vpon their credit that not onely now no auncient Gréeke and Latin copies haue it but also heretofore none euer had it which we assure our selues they will neuer dare For it séemeth the Latine followeth some auncient copies that had it though peraduenture since these copies are now perished But leauing probabilities what false doctrine is it to reade for Gospell what S. Luke and Saint Marke haue in supply of the historie mentioned in S. Mathew 5. With wisedome Ierem. 23.5 These words are reade the 25. Sunday after Trinitie propheâ—ying of Christ He shall â—aigne or beare rule and shall prosper with wisedome This with wisedome is neither too much for Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vtrunque significat Caluin Prudenter vel prosperè aget Ibid as if it were more then true to say so of the Messias nor is it more then the word signifieth For Shacal in this place signifieth both and therefore Master Caluin expresseth both in his Text wisely and prosperouslie he shall doe 6. Thou wouldest take heede Luke 19.42 All writes note this spéech of our Sauiour ouer Ierusalem to be abrupt and very passionate as offering some what to be vnderstood Which he doth not expresse which Euthimius supplyeth thus thou wouldst not perish Austin Non perires Euthym. Forsit an permâ—neres Aug. epist 79. Hieron The ophil O quam fesix esses Pâ—scas r. Fleres alas apud ErasamuÌ„ peraduenture thou shouldst yet continue Hierom and Theophilact I could haue wisht thou hadst knowne Piscator O thou hadst beene happy others as Erasmus obserueth Thou wouldst haue wept or as in the Communion booke thou wouldst take heede which also is the exposition of the auncient 0695 0 Curares thou wouldst haue seene to it And are all these supplies corruptions What then shall we iudge of most mens labours in this kinde who in translating are forced to make supply with words not found expresly in the letter of the originall but yet are couched in the grace of a passionate tune and sought out by that spirit whereby they were first conceiued wherein for so much as we no otherwise iudge of this place here thus translated it is but a sorie amends some make those translators who euer they were to call the helps they aford vs by no more gracious a name then plaine Corruptions 7. It is I feare not Luke 24.36 These words are read on Twesday in Easter weeke and were such as our Sauiour vsed after his resurrection â—isdem verbis eoâ— alloquutus est post resurre ctionem Marle in Math. 14.27 Apparet huc transcriptum ex Euangelio Iohannis Erasmus in in Luc. 24. for so it is noted in Marlorat vpon Math. 14. With which no more reason haue any to be effended for being vsed in this place of Luke 24 then with that in verse 38. why are yee troubled which if we goe by thinking Erasmus saith is taken out the Gospell of Saint Iohn and put here Our blessed Samour said the one as much as the other and by Erasmus his iudgement Saint Luke hath one asmuch as the other Both belike corruptions But to what ende is this captious quarrelling at wordes since we cannot deny but this forme of speech was very much in vse with Christ And the Syriack and Latin beside the auncient Fathers Saint Ambrose and others doe read these words It is I feare not Luk. 24.36 8. Be sober 2. Timoth. 4.5 Words put in which other Bibles peraduenture haue not But yet no offence to be taken hereat 1. Considering this may come from diuerse copies some hauing the words some omitting them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. As also from the word here Nephe which in Scripture sometimes is interpreted he sober somtimes watch 3. Neither is it misbesceming the Apostle Paul to teach nor his scholler Timothie to learne so much And therefore all this remembred might intreat of vs a more fauourable construction then to staine the ceedit of this and those other places with the reproch of Corruption By peruerting the meaning of the holy Ghost Grieuous if true but odious because false Saint Peter noteth them for vnlearned and vnstable that peruert Scripture and they doe it saith he to their owne destruction 2. Pet. â— 16 Surely vnlearned and vnstable our translators were not but setled in the truth of great knowledge in the toongs men reuerend in their times wheÌ„ they implored those fruitfull paines to publish the scriptures nor shall the malice or Satan now preuaile to their disgrace as it seemeth this bitter inuectiue doth forciblie intend But draw we to the instances 1. Because of mens works done against the words of my lips c. for Concerning the works of men by the words of thy lips Psal 17.4 The difference is twofold Solens Hebrai causarum omne genus interdum exprimere praefixa litera 1. Against the words c. insteed of By the words 2. Of my lips c. For thy lips Of the first this we are to know that the letter in seruice here is (2) Beza 〈◊〉 Luc. â— 1 which the Hebrewes manner is to imploy in the front of a word to expresse all sorts of causes And the learned in that toong well know that it sometimes doth signifie against as Exod. 14. he shall fight for you against the Egyptians the Hebrew is this letter in the Egyptians Exod. 14 25. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sometimes it signifieth by as here some render it And whether way in a diuerse relation to the person no dangerous interpretation In the first person of Dauid so it hath coherence with the third verse In the person of God so it hath coherence with the words following Now in other traÌ„slations besides our English take the Arabick the Siriack the Chaldee the Greeke and ye may note the like difference yet not any of them for ought we obserue is charged to peruert the meaning of the holy Ghost As for the exception taken at the Communion Booke which translateth in the first person my lippes what others reade in the second person thy lips the reason may be thus First because the translators read * not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or else tooke the termination to be Paragogicum Secondly Because the two xerses both this where these words are and that going before deliuer the rest in the first person for a little afore in the third verse the Prophet spake in his owne person I am vtterly purposed that my mouth should not offend as also in this
of the Prouerbs cap. 3. God skorneth with the skornefull which Saint Iames and Saint Peter following the Gréeke Pro. 3.34 render God resisteth the proud To skorne and to resist are as much contrarie for so they will néeds call it as to pray and to execute iudgement But they are not contrarie neither is this a peruerting of the meaning of the holy Ghost These spéeches procéede of ouermuch eagernesse of stomacke against discipline doctrine and translations which our Church proposeth as if there were cause inough to dislike eo nomine because she liketh and approueth it But for a more ample answere to this their obiection we referre the good Reader to the first part cap. 2. pag. 84. 86. 6. Though he suffered them to be euill intreated of Tyrants c. For he powreth contempt vpon Princes Psal 107.40 They are deceiued that thinke these wordes in the communion book are a peruerting of the meaning of the holie Ghost for that is stil the heade of the race whereunto these allegations make recourse Brentius and some others before and after him propose it in the same sense as the coÌ„munion book doth Dominus suoâ— c. multae acerba patiantura crudelibus tyraâ—nis quieos premuÌ„t seruitute paucs fiant Breâ—â— The Lord saieth Brentius vouchsafeth outwarde peace to his children yet so as they bee afterwardes aflicted and indure many bitter thinges at the handes of cruell tyrants who oppresse them with bondage that they become few c. As for the other wordes Hee powereth contempt vpon Princes though they are not expresly mentioned yet may well bee vnderstood by coherence of the rest 7. The rod of the vngodlie commeth not into the lâ—t of the righteous c. for the rod of the vngodlie shall not rest on the lot of the right teous Psalme 125.3 Cometh not for Resleth not that is commeth not to rest No great difference but agreeable to the hebrue whose manner of speech is to the like effect And it more then seemeth that the translators followed some copie which had * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for reading Beth for * Iabo pro Ianoas 〈◊〉 pro 〈◊〉 omissan Nun omitting the last letter But cheth which way soeuer the sense is agreeable to scripture and to this place For the rod of the vngodlie is in iudgement so commeth it not vpon the righteous the rod of the vngodlie is from God in iudgement so commeth it not vpon the righteous to harden and obdurate so commeth it not vpon the righteous for a farder condemnation so commeth it not vpon the righteous as a fertunner and tast of euerlasting torments so commeth it not vpon the righteous And therefore all this considered the translation may bee well indured 8. Yea I will pray against their wickednesse c. for within a while I will pray for their miseries Psalme 141.6 This translation hardly appeareth but to their discredit who haue serued it with a writ at this time For before it come to aunswer it may take exception at the lesser bibles which in this case are not to be iudges against it but to bee tried by the original as it selfe is The worde in this verie is rightly here wickednesse not miserio and so the smaller bibles though not here yet in Ierom. 44. translate it Ierem. 44 9. Haue ye forgotten the wickednesse of your fathers QuaecuÌ„que ma la feram ab us non exacerbabunt animum meum Tremel in Psalm 141.2 pâ—ter 2.7 and the wickednesse c. 5. times together in this english Secondlie Tremel rendereth it in their euils not of miserie which themselues indure but of wickednesse which they commit vexing his righteous soule as S. Peter speaketh Now let any man but of competent knowledge giue sentence whether this be to peruert the meaning of the holy Ghost seeing that hee who praies for euill mens mileries because they are in miserie well knoweth hee must pray against their wickednesse which is the cause of miseries yea euen a miserie it selfe 9. Israeli remembred c. for he that is God remembred Isa 63. Read on munday before Easter Here vpon supposall of a true information that Israell is put for God yet the aduenture wee thinke ouer bould to say it is a per uerting of the holy ghost For if is not hard to note as great a difference as this commeth to Ose 11. Ose 11.12 Iuda is faithfull with the saints so our lesser Bibles and Tremellius reades but others of another iudgement read Iuda is faithful with the holy one taking him for God not for his saints thus doth Quinquius Aben Ezra among the hebrues so doth Oecolompad some others of our late interpreters Shall they herevpoÌ„ that incline this way or that way condemne each other after the example here giuen as peruerters of the meaning of the holy ghost because some attribute it to God othere to the Saints vpon earth yet by asmuch reason may they as in this course which they vndertake Nay with farre more probabilitie Strange therefore wee may iustly deeme it so do wee that men wil dare thus bouldly staine these words so translated as wresting the right purpose of the holy Ghost Is it true indeede must it not bee Israel but God for Israel The person in that place after the manner of the Hebrues the third put indefinitely for some one Now whither God or Israel hereon depends the question Oecolompadius proposeth it both of God that hee brought the dayes of old to their remembrance of the people Vterque sensus verus eit Oecolompadius namely that Israel calleth to mind the wonders of old to their great shame and thereupon concludeth either way interpreted neither way erroneus How then commeth this peremtorie conclusion If wee say Israel remembred it is a peruerting of the meaning of the holie Ghost Would wee deale as strictly as wee haue these men for an ensample wee might vse our termes flat negatiue Recordaâ—us est Israel quod 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 intelligendum est Sâ—epfius in Isatam Quod nonnullâ— ad Deum referunt c. videtur esse asperâ—usac nimis â—enootum Cal. and say it must not be God but Israell Theodoricus Snepfius in his coÌ„mentaries doth not onely so translate as our communion Booke in the place named hath but writeth this withall This word Israell is to be vnderstood in common not onely of the mercie but of the power of God Maister Caluin vpon the same place approueth not onely ours as it is but also vtterly mislikes them that wil needes haue God put for Israel holding it to be very harsh and wide If our home borne Criticks repine hereat let vs intreat that Maister Caluin and Snepfius his iudgement may ouerballance their preiudice if neither shall let a third no friend to the cause nor our religion Subauditur populus Israeliticus verbasuÌ„â— E saiaediceÌ„tissuo teÌ„ pore recordatuÌ„ suisse populum
by them that take offence this we will say for farder satisfaction Be it that our church intend not Lowlinesse and humilitie in this place for the vertue which the Grecians call modestie but abiectnesse or basenesse of condition according to that which is sung in the Psalmes so base estate of his handmaide why may not we suffer the worde lowlinesse stand and distinguish it as Chitâ—eus doth humilitie rather then vpon so small cause to wound the credit of the translation and our reuerend aged translators 13. Should be cast away c. for should be reproued 2 Cor. 9.27 Head on septuages sunday In deed the lesser bibles so so translate as these â—orrectors of the coÌ„munion book giue direction But what reason that they herein should bee a squire for this then this for their translation Or what is it contrarie to the meaning of the holie Ghost if we kéep it as it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 1.28 2. Cor. 13.5.6.7 2. Tim. 3.8 Titus 1.16 Ipse reprobui fiam Piscator Ne Deum pece tris suis ossenderet at que it a causam damnaÌ„ di sui praeberet Ibid. Suro wee are worde there in question 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beareth so Rom. 1. hee gaue them â—ppe into a reprobate mindâ— 0779 0 2. Cor. 13. cap. 6.7 except yee bee reprobates wee are noâ— reprobates wee bee as reprobates Reprobates 2. Timothie 3.8 concerning the faith Titus r. ' to euery good work reprobate In all which places â—â—te render it no other then the lesser Bibles doe nor then it selfe signifieth so as they should rather keepe then change this translation Piscator writing vpon this place giueth it least I bee a reprobate and in his notes thus what then did hee feare least hee should bee damned No but this bee feared least by his sinnes hee should offend God and so bee condemned Thus farre Piscator with vs and for vs 14. Agar in Arabia bordreth against Ierusalem Gâ—lat 4.25 c. for answereth vnto Ierusalem that now is Read for part of the epistle the 4. Sunday in Lent Looke before part 1. cap. 8. pag 94.95 15. Christ was found in apparrel like a man c. for In shape like a man Philippians 2.7 These wordes are reade for the epistle on the sunday next before Easter All this while obserue wee that no other is brought to check our communion book but the lesser bibles which must it selfe be content to be iudged as well as the translation here challenged The Apostle had a little before vsed both these words Shape and likenesse and therefore the text varying the traslator thought good also to varie Now wee would for out better instruction gladlie learne what peruerting of the meaning of the holie Ghost this is to say Christ was found in apparrel like a man The fathers compare his manhood to a garment Ignatius saieth of Christ that hee was clothed with a bodie subiect to affections as weare Cyprian hath the like phrase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ignat. ad Tral epist 2. Carnem induitur Cyprian de idolo vanit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deitatis Athan serm â—on Arris an Cum induit hominem Ambros Athanasius calleth the body which Christ did take vnto him a cloke such as a maÌ„ casts about him of the godhead Ambrose hath thus when he put on man he did not change the substance the reason why they so speake 1. because apparell neither ads to nor detracts from the body so neither is ought added to or detracted from the godhead 2. as apparel hath honour for the body so the manhood of Christ for the godhead 3. as a man is known by apparel so the godhead by the humanity 4. as that garmeÌ„t changeth for that body so the humanity not the godhead Vnto which allusion of the fathers the authors of this present translation might respect For they were learned did much eye what language was in vse afore their time that if safely they might retaine it they would as it seemeth here they did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. Cor. 7.31 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For the word habit which in latin interpreteth the greek word sigufieth an habit or attire or kind of raiment 2 when it is said that fashioÌ„ or figure of this world passeth away Psal 102.26 what is it but an attire or garment which weareth euery day for so the prophet calieth it Psalme 102. and the author to the Hebrewes cap. 1.12 as a vesture shalt thou change them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 1.12 Thridlie shape likenesse c. were words vsed immediatlie before and therefore this word comming next to remembrance vpon these considerations was accepted of without preiudice to the meaning of the holie Ghost for Christ his humanity was a garment and his aparell a garment and in them both he truly man 4. Though the word be not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which properly is apparell Q. 83. q. 73. Author sub Ceril in Ioh. lib. â—1 Haimo c. Indumentum or a garment Yet saint Austine and the author vpoÌ„ saint John vnder Cyrils name Haimo Aquinas some of our owne writers by habit vnderstand apparell Which to say of Christ is no vntruth for hee wore apparell like a man as his vnseamed coat sheweth and where the word habit signifieth manie waies S. Austin aforenamed rendereth it apparrell as our Communion booke both By which name wee are to vnderstand that the word is not changed by taking the manhod Quo nomine â—portet intelligi non mutatum esse verbum susceptione hominis sicuti nec menbra veste induta mutantur Aug. Q. 83 Q. 73. Humana fragilitass assuÌ„ptor Illa susceptio no more theÌ„ the parts of our body by the raiment which wee put on And a little after So far forth as mens words may befitted for ineffable thinges least God the taker of mans frailtie bee thought changed it was chosen that this susception or taking should be called in greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in latine habit Lastlie supposing none of all these answers might bee made let men presse what they will to their vttermost this testimonie of theirs fitteth not for that purpose wherefore it is produced namelie a peruerting of the meaning of the holy Ghost 16. The high priest entred the holy place with strong bloud c. for other bloud which is not his own Heb. 9.25 Read on wednesday before Easter At the first view of this quotation halfe an eye might see it was an escape in the print strong put for strange Wherfore recourse made to the late communion book 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and finding it strange blood and not strong as the accusation pretendeth wee examined the former impressioÌ„s in the daies of our late renowned soueraign in neither greater nor lesse so manie as we light vpon can wee find any such thing as strong put for straÌ„ge Now that the word signifieth strange though wee
thereby intended to shame vs if wee would not turne vnto God Video Ahab regem marituÌ„ Iezabel reum idololatria sanguinis Nabothae veniam meruisse poenitentia nomine Tertul adners Marciou lib 4. and to incourage vs if wee did because Ahab found faueur at the Lords hand as appeareth in the historie and as Tertullian noteth it I see that Ahab the King Iezabels husband guilty of idolatrie the blood of Naboth by the name of repentance obteined pardon But the homilie though it propose this example and their is great vse to be made of it yet concludeth with the Niniuits and after their example for so it speaketh not his example exhorteth the people to turne vufainedly vnto God 4. In it the fact of Ambrose in excommunicating the Emperour is iustified This historie is in the title of the right vse of the Church where it is no farder iustified then all our writers to against the common aduersarie Looke the Bishoppe of winchester his most learned answer to the Iesuits apologie c. Iunins against Bellarmin B. Bilson p. 3. pag. 373. Iun. contro 3 lib. 5. artie 3. Danaeusad 3. coÌ„ tro c. 7. pag. 547. Lubber de pap Rom. lib 9. c. 6. D. Sutcliu ac poÌ„ tif lib 4 c 11 pag. 393 Sitales haberemus episcopos quales Ambres In vita D Ambros Erasmi Theodores lib 5.7 Sozomen lib. 7 c 24 DanÄ™us cap. 7. Lubbert Doctor Sutcliff and sundrie others who all commend the good Bishoppe that hee did not suddainely admit the Emperor to the Lords table after so great an outrage was committed Erasmus commends them both saying if there were more such Bishoppes of sincerity and courage there would be more Emperors and Kinges such as Theodosius Looke the historie more at large in Theodoret his fift booke chap. 17. and Sozomen Lib. 7. cap. 24. 5. In is Iudith is said to haue a dispensation from God to vse vanitie of apparrell to ouercome the vaine eies of Gods enimies In the homilie against excesse in apparel These are the words By what meanes was Holofernes deceiued but by the glittering shew of apperell which that holie woman did put on hir not as delighting in them but shee ware it of pure necessity by Gods dispensation vsing this vanity to ouercome c. Apparrell simplie of it selfe is not euill vnlesse the manner of it Iudithse vt adultero placeret ornauit quae tamen quia hoc religione non a more faciebat nemo eam adul teram iudica uit Ambrosâ—d virgin Iudith 10.4.2 Reg. 10.18 25.26 Dispensatione Des pio delo trucidantur oÌ„nes Pâ—llica ibid. Instinctu diuino viam tuadendi centauit Pellic. or the ende of it bee euill For if naturall beautie bee no fault how much lesse when it is graced with commendable attire fitting the person and hir estate Iudith saith Ambrose trimd her selfe to please an adulterer yet hir selfe no adulteresse because shee did it for religion and not for lust Yet vanitie of apparrell it is called for that shee vsually wore no such nor took delight therein That shee now vsed it to ouercome Gods eninne was no more vnlawfull in her then in Iehu who with a sleight tooke all Baals Priests and put them to the sword of which fact Conradus Pellican witnesseth thus much by a dispensation from God with a zealous craft they are all slaine In the first of Samuel Dauid before Achish dribbles vpon his beard scrabbled vpon the wal disfigureth himselfe as herein coÌ„trariwise Iudith did grace hir selfe Which fact of his P. Martyr though he make it no example to imitate but peculiar to him so he rather defends it then otherwise And Pellican vpon the same place By a diuine instinct hee attempted a way for to escape Pomeranus writeth thus The Saints when there is neede fall in to these counsels they seeke them not nor hold them to be followed Nor must we make lawes hereupon Sancts inciâ—uÌ„t vbi opus est in ista consilia noÌ„ quarunt nec po stea ducuÌ„t imitanda c. Pomeran Quia omnis coÌ„ trouersia non parum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pendet Pet. martyr in Iudic 4. This befell Dauid some other way it shal befal thee by Gods appointment if hee see it good c. In the 4. of the Iudges the historie of Iahel what she did to Sisera compared with the circum stances of Iudith what shee did to Holofernes will satisfie the exception here taken For whereas all such controuersies do not a little depend vpon the circumstance of persons considering that shee was a holie vertuous woman deuout in praier strenghthened by the hand of the Lord to preserue his truth and people we haue no reason to the contrarie but we may safely iudge that God himselfe did direct hir heart to this politick stratagem And if we make no doubt but she might take Holofernes head from his shoulders he being the enimie of God as he was Quadam mala male fiunt Quadam mala bene fiunt Optat. lib. 3. and she inabled by his spirit thereunto neither need we suspect these wordes that by Gods dispensation she put on such apparrel as was to the oppressors wanteÌ„ eie like the wedge of gold to Achans couetous eye For any default els herein or in any other circumstance it might be as some things that are good bee ill don so againe saith Optatus some thinges that are ill may be well done But well or ill lawfull or vnlawful in generall or particular this we may resolutely determin if any man shall hold it vnlawful and that in hir at that time yet no fault to say that God who was rich in mercie to grace and adorne hir with so many gifts of his holie spirit did gratiously dispence with some point of circumstance which is no common rule to bee practised by anie at all aduentures Thus much and no more is intended by the words in the homily 6. It affirmeth that pluralitie of wiues was by especial prerogatiue suffred to the fathers of the old testament that they might haue manie children because euerie of them hoped and begged oftentimes of God in heir prayers that the blessed seede might come and bee borne of his stoke and kindred A special prerogatiue c. that is howsoeuer then done yet noe warrant for our times though some haue so thought to doe the like and to this purpose the homilie addeth which thinges wee see plainely to bee forbidden vs by the law of God and are now repugnant to all publike honestie These and such like in Gods booke good people are not written that wee should or may doe the like following their examples or that wee ought to thinke that God did allow euery of these thinges in those men In all which coherence of this argument not a worde that deserueth other censures then all the religious learned of former times haue thought iustifiable whose iudgement in this question wee referre the reader to at
vnfainedly we acknowledge our wickednesse and imperfection If this were in our Communion booke we doubt we should be thought to exclude faith charitie purpose of amendment of life and wholesome instruction concerning that holy mysterie and Sacrament 2. Disgracefull to the Kings Maiestie In his title and in his Authoritie In his title No part of the stile mentioned but Quéene Elizabeth in their Communion booke And no other ceremonie nor order being to be vsed as they craue in their bill exhibited inforceth that no man must vse any other forme at all in his prayer Part. 1. pag. â—8 but onely the bare name of King Iames without mentioning all the other parts of his iust title accordingly as in our Uniuersities is required and in other godly faithfull prayers is duely administred In his Authoritie For speaking in that booke of the ciuill Magistrate they attribute not any direction or gouernment for Ecclesiasticall either orders or persons but onely reformation at the first planing 2. In their Rubrick before Baptism Authoritie is giuen the Minister by consent of the Presbyterie to appoint a publike méeting L A. Nullo C. de ferâ—ss which we call a holy day which hath béene a prerogatiue which Kings and Emper ors alway had 3. Vntruths As when they call it publishing the contract For asking the hanes is too olde and may perhaps be accused of superstition yea what if the parties be not contracted nor minde to be till solemnization as it often falleth out by consent of both parties shall the Minister neuerthelesse peremptorily affirme that they haue contracted matrimonie Againe in distribution of the bread they say of the people who shall distribute and deuide it among themselues that all may communicate This ceremonie it séemeth they vrge of necessitie For they say who shall yet no such thing to be gathered out of Scripture but the contrarie when it is said He brake it and gaue it not that they did breake and giue it one vnto another As also appeareth by the Rituall of the Jewes their Calmud and their very custome at this day For the Maister of the family in the feast of sweete bread which is celebrated after the Paschall Lamb is eaten doth take a péece of sweete bread and giuing thanks per concepta verba there set downe doth dip it in the sauce prouided to eate the sower herbs So aliger de emendat temp lib. 6. which he doth eate and then breake so many péeces as there be persons sitting there and giueth to euery one a piece to be eaten saying This is the bread of tribulation which our Fathers did eate in Egypt c. Many other such points we might note which if they were in our Communion booke should beare reproofe But goe we on a little farder Misapplying Scripture as that in the Commaundement Six daies shalt thou labour Therefore no holy day to come together in publike but only on the Sabboth And yet herein seemeth a contradiction Contradiction because with consent of the presbitery as may be seene afore that Minister may appoint a publike solemn meeting c. Misinterpreting For they translate that in Genes It is not good for man to be alone thus It is not good for man to liue alone implying it sinne to liue vnmaried This license they take for translating not induring any the smallest libertie vnto others to doe the like As where hauing spoken onely of the persons the Father and the Sonne they conclude Leauing out To whom be all praise In our Communion booke such words would haue borne exception for leauing out the holy Ghost As in the Action of the Lords Supper Take eate This bread is the body of Christ Putting in Had it beene in our Communion booke we should haue beene challenged for adding these words This bread more then is in the Euangelists or in the Apostle Saint Paul In all which alleadged beside many else we might adde hereunto as men vse to beat a cur-dogge in presence of a Lyon that the beast for all his greatnesse of stomacke may the rather be tamed so haue we thought good at this time in mentioning these doubts disgraces contradictions misapplications c. to bring downe their curst hart who wilfully misconstrue what they otherwise know was and is the right godly meaning of our Church that they who are so ready to finde fault may themselues see their owne writings are not free from their owne intended exceptions And not to multiply farder instances for that would be infinite Generally in all their booke this may be worth our obseruation that albeit themselues cannot deny but many points are singularly set downe in our leiturgie yet their spite is such vnto it and themselues so wedded vnto innouation and selfe loue that excepting the exhortation before the Communion they haue not transserd any thing from thence into their booke Conclusion By this time we hope it sufficiently appeareth what defence our Church maketh notwithstanding oppositions intended against it How farre forth it preualleth we know not but that graue religious aduertisement which Saint Ierom giueth shall be our conclusion for this present Quaeso lector ve recorderâ—â—tribis nalis Dommi de iudicio tuo te intelligaâ— iudicandum not mâ—hi nee aduer sario faueas sed causaÌ„ iudices Hieron aduerserro Ioh. Hierâ—sol We pray thee good Reader as thou art vpon a closing point vnderstand what our defence is remember the tribunal of the Lord how we must all come before the iudgement seate of God Doe not thou fauour one or other more then truth but truth more then all For what will it aduantage a man to winne the whole world loose his owne seule or what can he giue to redeeme it Preiudice not thy vnderstanding determine this For this is the substance of all If all things here obiected be contrary to the word of God as some make shew for in steede of our yea write nay and for our nay write yea Then indge whether such a course be not the ouerthrow of thy faith a peruerting of thy â—â—â—gement and the hazard of thy soules saluation God forbid it should so be and we pray the Lord thy selfe that thou apply thy hart to wisedome least thou be deceiued And deceiued thou art if thou so thinke or write But let thy censure be as God shall direct thy hart in iudgement feare it is if thou continue obstinate in mercie know it is if thou incline to this counsell giuen And that thou so doe the Lord graunt thée his spirit of wisedome and humilitie that as Saint Iames speakes thou receaue our exhortation in méekenesse of wisedome More expect not at our hands For we cannot possiblie wish thée more but grace in this life and glorie in the life to come Our pen may be tired and our wish at an end but no end we wish of thy good For the good we wish is thy endlesse saluation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉