therefore after a more then ordinary manner appropriate them selues to your iudgment An exposition of certaine difficult obscure words termes of the lawes of this Realme printed A 1602 Fol 25. Fol 26. For if I mistake not but do rightly informe my selfe from your booke of The termes of the law your procedings in case of Attainder are threefold as by Outlary where the partie doth not appeare to answere the law by Verdict which is the triall of honest Iurors vpon his appearing to answere the law and by Confession which is the parties owne acknowledgement of his offence Also in case of Title to temperall possessions there be certaine receaued grounds in your law of great force to demōstrate the right as faire ancient vnsuspected Euidence the Testimony of credible witnesses and euen Praescription it selfe where of no memory occurreth to the contrary In so much as by the statute of Limitation no man is inhabled to commence prosecute suite Fol. 140 for any landes whereof him selfe or his Ancestors haue not bene before seised within a certaine time in that behalfe limited The only Priority of possession receiuing also this fauour in your law that to the partie disseised of such his possession you afford speciall remedy by VVritt of Assise Fol 24. Fol. 47. Fol. 47. allowing him also the benefit of his Continuall Claime to preuent Descent vpō the other parties dying seised Moreouer where the letter of your Statute law appeareth to be in some cases doubtfull you are reported to hold that sense and vnderstanding thereof for most reasonable which is found most agreable with the knowne answerable Practise of ensewing times Besides all this there are established with you for the finall ending of all arising cōtrouersies High cours of Iudgment to giue definitiue sentence and the same so giuē not by the law it selfe but by your selues placed as Iudges to pronounce determine what is the law Against which sentence so once orderly giuen No VVritt of errour or Appeale lieth Fol. 82. whereby to support the partie so cōuicted in the farther humor of his vnsatisfied and endles contention Of all which I haue informed my self partly from your foresaid booke of the Termes of the law and some by conference with others So as I am to craue pardon if exceeding herein the boldnesse of my profession I haue mistaken or not dewly obserued the apte proprietie of wordes retaining yet I hope the substance of the matter And for as much as these your ciuill obseruations prescribed for the inquiry setting forth of right are in themselues no other then as liuely resemblances imitations of those maine grounds which facred Theologie affordeth to the demonstration of Truth I am now likewise to craue further leaue to entreate you of your serious retired view of your leasurable Iudicious and graue considerations of this our short Application of some principall parts thereof to the like answerable grounds and principles so plentifully abounding in proofe of our Catholike Religion But least I should be tedions to your honors attention I will but set downe one point for the which Catholikes are so often commanded to appeare before your honors to answere to the law are dailie deiected disgraced Impouerished The point is knowne to you all to witt for entertaining of Massing Priests SECTION II. A verdict consisting of twelue generall Councels al of them being within the first foure hundred od yeares after our Sauiour Christ FIrst therfore concerning your proceeding by Iurors if that may be esteemed to be a true Verdict which is so by such giuen you haue then here the same giuen in the fore said point which might be giuen in other points likewise of our Catholike Faith by the Ancient Fathers who being assembled in Generall Councells Synodes sworne vpon the perill of their soules haue in this other many speciall cases directly found for vs. to that effect that those of our Iury may be the lesse suspected of you we will bring them of the first 400. yeares after Christ the which Ages euen your owne Doctors being Iudges were freest from all corruption alteratiō of the true Religiō Faith deliuered by the Apostles D. Fulke in his Answere to a counterfaite Catholike pag. 36. saith The Religion of the Papistes came in preuailed the yeare of God Anno 607 in the which time saith he The Reuelation of Antichrist with the Church fled in to the wildernesse to witt in A o. 607. And Simō de Voyō one of your Protestāte Doctors Simō de Voyō in his epist to the Reader in his discourse vpon the Catalogue of Doctors in the Epistle to the Reader post medium affirmeth that Anno 605. VVhen Pope Boniface was enstalled in the Papall throne Powell pa. 105 then falshood gott the victory And Mr. Gabriel Powell in his Considerations of the Papists reasons saith I grant that from the yeare of Christ 605. The professant Companie of Poperie hath bene very visible and perspicuous Perkins 307. And Mr. Perkins in his exposition of the Creed affirmeth That during the space of 900. yeares the Popish heresie hath spread it selfe ouer the whole earth Whit. p. 35. And Mr. Whitaker de Antichristo contra Sanderum saith During all that time to witt of 600. yeares The Church was pure and flourishing and inuiolably taught defended the faith deliuered from the Apostles And the like acknowledgement is made by many other learned Protestants which were tedions to your honors In his booke of Institut set out in frēch printed at Geneua 1562. to sett downe in this our short Application Only we will conclude which Caluine your cheife man who albeit he doth not graunt the florishing estate of the Romane Church the full space of the first 600. yeares after Christ yet doth acknowledge that no chāge of Faith was made vntill the times of S. Augustine Epiphanius Optatus c. which was for 440. yeares after Christ These be his owne wordes in his booke of Institutions set forth in French It was athing saith he notorions without doubt that after the Apostles age vntil those times no change was made in doctrine neither at Rome nor at other citties Thus Caluine Therefore hauing freed our iury from all suspition euen our enemies being our Iudges Whitg in his defence p. 330. we wil place as Fore-man of our Iury that notable and famous Councell of Nice the which saith Mr. Whitgift a protestante writer is of al wise learned men reuerenced esteemed embraced next vnto the Scriptures themselues The 1. Coūcell of Nice can 3. This Councell was celebrated the yeare of Christ 325. at the which was present 318. Bishops who did decree that Priests that did say Masse offer sacrifice It is not let at liberty to marry because exception is taken at women but the mother etc should not keepe cōpanie with any womā
this my body c Albeit be sore the wordes of the Fathers did call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the symbole or figure of his body So plainly doth the 350. Bishops assembled in this Councell deliuer their sentence in our behalf You see Right honorable Reuerend Graue and Learned Lords the compleate number of our Iury at whom no exceptions can be taken euen the Doctors of your Church being Iudges they being all not only within the first 600. yeares in which time was no corruption in Religion according to the confession of many of our aduersaries heretofore alleadged but in the most florishing estate of the Church Of which time your chiefe man Caluine saith It was a matter out of all doubt that from the beginning euen vntill that time Lib. 4. Instit cap. 2. §. 2. viz to S. Austins daies nothing was changed in doctrine Also in his booke of Institutions in French printed at Geneua by Conradus Badius Anno 1562. he saith expresly That it was a thing notorious without doubt that after the Apostles age vntill those times no change was made in doctrine neither at Rome nor at other citties So plainely do our learned Aduersaries acknowledge that no change of faith was made by the Romane Church from the Apostles age vntill the time of S. Austin Epiphanius Optatus c. which was 440. yeares after Christ Mr. Fulke followeth his Maister Caluine in this pointe saying in his Retentine Pag 85. The Popish church is but an Hereticall assembly departed from the vniuersall church long since Augustines departure on t of this life This is the most common opinion of all Protestant writers And thus much with your good fauours concerning the application of your terme of law called Verdict which is the Triall of honest Iurors SECTION III. THE TESTAMENTI SECONDLY if you respect VVitnesses you shall find all the Ancient Fathers for our cause in so much that sundry of our learned Aduersaries doubt not therefore to make generall disclaime in the ancient Fathers Hence it is that Mr. Whitaker a Learned Protestant affirmeth cont Duraen p. 423. The Popish Religion to be a patched couerlett of the Fathers errors In libel vita I wely printed Londini pag 212. idâ—m Fulk in his petent pag 55. Stratag Satanae li. 6. pag. 296 sowed together And that also Mr. D. Humfrey did greuously reprehend Mr. Iewell for his so bould appealing to the Fathers affirming therefore of Mr. Iewell that herein he gaue the Papists to large a scope that he was iniurious to himself and after a manner spoiled himself the church And Iacobus Acontius in his Treatise dedicated to Queene Elizab. speaking of the bad successe that Protestants writers had in citing the Fathers exhorts them to for beare the citing of them saying Equidem perniciosissimam omninoque fugiendam hanc esse arbitror consuetudmem Certainly I hold this custome viz of c. to be very dangerous wholy to be auoyded viz of citing the Fathers to the writers disaduantage But for feare of suspicion of our VVitnesses we shall bring men so indifferent to our aduersaries vs that we may say of them as S. Aust in like case disputing against the Pelagians saith of the Fathers before his time August adu Iul. Pelag. lib. 2. prope finem lib. 3. cap. 17. lib. 4. cap 12. Neque nobis neque vobis irati sâ—nt c They be angrie neither at you nor at vs what they haue found in the Church that they haue held they haue taught what they haue learned and what they haue receaued from their Forefathers they haue deliured to posterity In so much as your owne learned writers are not wanting in their like answerable commendation Caluine speaking of them saith They indeed speaking of catholikes Caluin Instit lib. 4. cap. 2. Sect. 3. alleadging Antiquity sett forth their churches very gloriously c they report out of Irenaeus Tertullian Origen Augustin others how highly they esteemed this succession wherto he there answereth giueth his like reason therof saying considering it was a matter out of all doubt that from the beginning vntill that time nothing was chaÌ„ged in doctrine the holy Doctors tooke in argument that which was sufficient for the ouerthrowing of all new errors to witt that they viz the Heretiques oppugned the doctrine which euen froÌ„ the very Apostles themselues had beene inviolably with one consent retained And Mr. Iewell a famous Protestant in his replye to Mr. Harding pag. 266 saith The godly Fathers meaning them before S. Austins time sought to the church of Rome which then for puritie in Religion and constancie in thesame was most famous aboue all others this fore said time was the first 440 yeares after christ Therfore for the further satisfaction of our aduersaryes wee shall bring for witnesses euen them who liued within the fore said time viz. within before S. Augustin his time If need were we might bring for witnesses S. Andrew the Apostle In Epist ad Eccles Achaiae cap. 1. who in a booke made by himself and written by his disciples and generally receaued for authenticall by the whole Churche Christian world these wordes are recorded to haue beene spoken by himself I daylie sacrifice to Almighty God the immaculate lamb who notwithstanding that he is truely sacrificed and his flesh truely eaten by the people yet doth he still remayne whole liuing S. Clemens Epist 3 no priest ought to say mask without the Bishops leaue S. Martial Epist ad Burdegalensis cap. 3. A sacrifice is offered vpon the Altar is God the creator not to man or Angell Of the said S. clement there is mention made in the Apostle S. Paule his Epistle to the Philippi caâ— 4. vers 3. where he is numbred among the followers of S. Paul and who was third Pope after S. Peter who did write many things which he had oâ— verball tradition of the Apostles who liued about the yeare 80. The afore said S. Martiall was sent by Saint Peter into France who afterwards was Bish. of Limoge in France who liued in the yeare 50. of whom Baronius doth write Likewise may be alleaged the fiue liturgies or Masses of the Apostles In Mart. 30. Iun. Proclus de Tradit diuina The first of S. Peter in defence of which Willaim Lindane a learned Catholike writeth an Apologie The second of S Iames the greater alleaged by S. Proclus Patriarch of Constantinople who liued in the yeare 460 The third of S. Iames the lesser alleaged by the fore said proclus wherof mention is made likewise in the Councell of Trull in the yeare 680. The fourth the liturgie of S. Mathew which the Aethiopians do vse and is called in their language Corbon that is Missah in Hebrew and in Latin Oblatio of this Liturgy or terme of Masse writeth Genebrard Gen. in finc primia saeculi Vbi sup The fift is that of S. Mark vsed long time in
S. Clement Pope who was third Pope after S. Peter and liued about the yeare 102 who saith Ep. 3. thus in one of his Epistles Let noe Priest say masse in his Parish without the licence of his Bishop And by saying of Masse the Eucharist was giuen and receiued o◠the people as is witnessed by S. Dionyse S. Ignatius S. Marcellus who liued in the second Age as before hath beene shewed After S. Clement succeeded S. Anaclete Anacletus Ep. 1 in the yeare 03 who commaunded that masse should be celebrated only in holy places After him S Alexander who died for the Faith in the yeare 131. Baron in mart 3 May. he did confirme the Apostolike constitution of mingling wine with water in the sacrifice of the masse In decretis Sixti Papae After him was S. Sixtus Romanus in the yeare 142. who commaunded that the sacred vessels vsed at masse at other times should not be handled nor touched by any man but by the who were in holy Orders After him was S Felesphor◠who had binan anchorite in Greece he died in the yeare 154. he ordained that the masse should be celebrated in the night in Christmasse euen c. After him succeeded S. Pius an Italian who died in the yeare 167. in one of his Epistles to Iustus Bishop of Vienna he saith Tom. 1. Biblio SS Patrū we do celebrate the masse in the Churche of Euprepia c. After him or as some say before him succeeded S. Anicet who died in the yeare 175. he would that the Priest should beare a shauen crowne Anacletus Ep. ad Gallos his decrees are extant Tom. 1. Concil After him succeeded Soter and died 179. who commaunded that none should celebrate masse without one to help him And so successiuely one after another vntill S. Siluesters time who was Pope in the time of Constantine the great the first Christian Emperor who was Christened by the said S. Siluester These be the Bishops of Rome whom Mr. Ridley termeth Patriarkes who did maintaine pure doctrine All of them being before Constantine the first true Christian Emperor And as for that he saith that in the first Christian Emperors times the Gospell did florish it is most manifest that Cōstantine who was Emperor in the yeare of our Lord 306. did allow of Monkes through out Syria Palestina Bithynia c. Cent. cent 4. col 2441. did keepe in his company court Massing Priests with all prouision to that effect as Zozimus affirmeth he did attribut supremacie to the Bishop of Rome Zozim hist li. 1 cap. 8. Frig. in his palma ad Sereniss Reginā Aug. as affirmeth Frigiuellaus Gauius a Protestant Writer with other points of our Catholike doctrine in whose time the Churches doctrine was one and the same as it is at this day concerning Freewill iustification by workes Confession of sinnes to a Priest Inioined penance Absolution of such as had confessed giuen by imposition of handes Also with affirming penance to be the second table after Shipwrack vnwritten Traditions inuocation of Saints Purgatory Altars consecrated with the signe of the Crosse Chrisme the reall presence Transubstantation Cent. 4. sacrificing for the dead and many other points which the Centurists of Magdeburg call errors of that time Now seeing that Maister Ridley saith that the first Bishops of Rome the first Christian Emperors did set out Christs glory and did administer duely the Sacraments It followeth that in his opinion these points defended and taught by the Churche in those times are no lesse now pure true doctrine and that the Eucharist is duely administred by massing Priests Sect 6. MR. HOOKER in his praeface to his bookes of Eccl. Policy saith That wee are right sure of this that nature Scripture experience haue all taught the world to seek for the ending of contentions by submitting it self vnto some Iudiciall and definitiue sentence whervnto neither parties that contend may vnder any pretence refuse to stand Now seing all Generall Prouinciall Councells haue giuen their Iudiciall definitiue sentence concerning this point in fauor of vs Catholikes And on the other side seing neither Mr. Hooker nor any Protestant can alleadge any generall Councell or Prouinciall or any Synodicall Conuenticle before this last 100. yeares to the contrary It followeth according to Mr. Hooker that wee should allow of the Sacrifice of the Masse seing Councclls in their Iudiciall definitiue sentēces haue allowed of it And much more because he affirmeth most constantly in his bookes of Eccl. Pol. that the Church of Rome is to be reputed as a part and limme of the Church Lib. 5. pag. 188. and house of God But because I can not tell whether our aduersaries Will allow what their followes did write or teache in the dayes of Queene Elizabeth seing they defend as D. Doue a Protestant writer affirmeth perswas pag. 31. they may often change and doe at least at the change of euery Prince These be his own woordes VVhen the masse was first Put down King Henry had his English Liturgie that was iudged absolute without exception But when Edward came to the Crowne that was condemned and an other put in the place which Peeter Martyr and Bucer did approue as very consonant to Gods woord VVhen Queen Elisabeth beganne her raigne the former was iudged to be full of imperfections and a new was diuised and allowed by the consent of the Clergie But about the midle of her raigne we grew weary of that book and great meanes haue beene wrought to abandon that and establish another which although it was not obtayned yet we doe at the least at euery change of Prince change our book of common prayer we be so wanton that we know not what we would haue Thus Doctor Doue Therfore to giue our Aduersaries all aduantages you shall heare the reporte of those Protestant writers who haue written since the beginning of his Maiesties raigne in England and so much and so incharitably against vs Catholikes that for that cause one of their owne number Ormer pict Pap. in postscript adiudgeth many of their bookes to the fire and their Authors worthie of death MR. MIDLETON Papistomast pag. 137. 138. graunteth with S. Chrysost S. Aug. S. Epiphan That Sacrifice and Prayer for the dead was an Apostolicall Tradition D SVTCLIFFE against the three Conuers pag. 791. saith Christes true Church is a diligent and wary keeper of doctrines committed to her and changeth nothing at any time diminisheth nothing addeth nothing superflius looseth not her owne nor vsurpeth things belonging to others But seing D. SVTCLIFFE can not deny but the church of Rome was once Chrysts true church therfore it followeth according to D. Sutcliffe opinion that the church of Rome must needes haue diligently and warely kept the doctrine of such a maine and essentiall point of her cheife function as is the Sacrifice of the Masse nor changing nor adding any
Tertullian amongst the other traditions of the Catholike Churche Lib. de Coron milit cap. 3. reports of the saying of masse or oblation at the end of the yeare for the Soules departed The which sentence is acknowledged by Mr. Fulk to be of Tertullian And in his booke de cultu faeminarum In his confut of purg pag. 362 he saith that a woman should not goe abrode vnlesse it be to visiâ—t the sicke heare the sermon or assiste in the Churche at masse The Ninth VVitnesse is S. Ambrose who liued in the yeare 3â—0 and whome the Century-writers do reiect Lib 4 cap 4 col 295 for his to much writing in fauor of the sacrifice of the masse Catholike Priesthood Amongst other of his sayings he confessed of himself that tumult being risen in the assembly where he was Ambro. lib. 5 Epist 3 yet he was not forgetfull of his office but did beginne the masse The eleuenth of our VVitnesses is S. Augustine Scoller to S. Ambrose he died in the yeare 430. he is plentifull in this other points of Catholike doctrine euen in the Iudgment of our Aduersaryes Chemnitâ—us in his ExaÌ„ part 3. pag. 3. he named the word masse in one of his Sermons saying lett no man be absent from the masse on sonday And againe he named the word masse in another Sermon saying these words which shal be read at the masse and else where August serm 51 de tempore Ser. 91. de tem Ser. 337. Vniustly therefore do our aduersaryes obiect against vs saying that S. August did neuer name the word masse And within S. Austins time the 2. Councell of Carthage in the 3. chap and the Mileuitan Councell cap. 12. doth name the word masse And before S. Austin S. Ambrose who liued anno 390. in his 5. book of Epistles Epist 33 S. Damasus Pope who liued about the yeare 384. in his book of the liues of the Popes And S. Macharius who liued about anno 319. in his decret de consecrat named the word masse S. Fabianus Pope in one of his Decrees who liued about the yeare 242. S. Sother Pope Martyr who liued about the yeare 171. in one of his Decrees which are extant Tom. Concil S. Pius Pope Anno 147 in one of his Decrees S. Higinus Pope Martyr Anno 144. in his Decree as Ino. lib. 2. testifieth S. Alexander Pope Martyr Anno 121. Epist 1 ad omnes Orthodoxos which is to be seene in the Councell of Tribury cap. 19. S. Clement third Pope after S. Peter Epist 3. Anno 111. S. Ignatius the Apostles Scoller Epist ad Smyrnenses All which holy men did name the word Masse properly and in that same sense that the Catholikes at this day do vse Yet for all this forsooth our Aduersaryes would make the world belieue that the word Masse is a word newly inuented not found in the primitiue Churche But they deale with vs in this as in many other things which must proceed either of malice or of grosse ignorance The twelfe of our VVitnesses is S. Hierome who liued in the same time that S. Austin did Ao. 430. He is generally holden of our Aduersaries to be for the Catholike Religion in this Epist ad Heliod other points He did reuerence respect holy Priesthood very much saying God forbid I should speake amisse of them who succeding doe consecrate with their mouth the body Cyrillus Catech Cyrillus Hieros catech 12. Gregor Nâ—ssen orat in muliereÌ„ peccat Ep ph Haeres 73. blood of Iesus Christ To these VVitnesses wee might adde infinite more if it were not tedious to your honors As S. Cyrill of Alexandria contemporaneo to S. Hieron S Cyrillus Hierosolymitanus Anno 320. S. Gregory of Nyssen Epiphanius Athanasius Anno 319. Optatus Anno 350. lib. 6. aduersus Haeres Athan. quaest 34. Right honorable Reuerend Graue and Learned these be our VVitnesses who did direct our fore said Iury in their Verdict at whom our Aduersaries can take no exception iustly seing they were men indifferent and not angrie neither at our Aduersaries not at vs and who be much esteemed of by the more aduised and sober Protestants chemint exam Concil Trid. part 1 pag. 74. who to vse their owne words doubt not but that the primitiue Churche reâ—eaued from the Apostles and Apostolicall men not only the text of Scripture but also the right and natiue sense therof And that we are greatly confirmed Confessio Bohemi pag. 400 in the true sound sense of Scripture by testimonies of the ancient Fathers And that they are the true and best Masters of posteritie going before leading vs the way and as Mr. Bancroft late Bishop of Canterb saith Bancr survey pag. 379. for Mr Caluin and Mr. Beza I doe thinke of them as their writings deserue but yet I thinke better of the ancient Fathers I must confesse SECTION IIII. The Confession of twelue of the learnedest of the Aduersarie parties THIRDLY if the parties owne Confession be of force as doubtles in all reason it is no lesse then Conuincing your Wisdomes shall heare the grauest of your Aduersaryes confirme by their ouwne Confession this point of doctrine for vs. 1. Caluine our Aduersaries prime man speaking of Irenaeus Tertullian Origen August and others how highly they esteemed the Church of Rome Inst lib 4 cap 2. §. 2. in respect of the Succession of the Romane Bishops answereth giueth his like reason there of saying Considering it was a matter out of all doubt that from the beginning euen vntill that time viz till S. Austins time nothing was changed in doctrine the holy doctors tooke in argument that which was sufficient for the ouerthrowing of all new errors viz that they viz the heretikes oppugned the doctrin which euen from the very Apostles themselues had beene inuiolably and with one consent retained Againe in his booke of Institutions set forth in French he saith expresly Instit in French printed at Genaua anno 1561. that it was a thing notorious without doubt that after the Apostles age vntill those times viz S. August his time no change was made in doctrine neither at Rome nor at other cittyes Now seeing aluine affirmeth that without all doubt there was no change of doctrine in the Church of Rome from the beginning that is from the Apostles times vntill S. Aug. his time which was for 400. and odd yeares after Christ it must follow in Caluins opinion that the doctrine we haue heretofore alleaged by the testimony of our Iury viz the Councells and witnesses viz the Fathers they being all both Iury and witnesses within the said first 400. and od yeares is pure doctrine inuiolably with one consent retained from the very Apostles themselues 2. BEZA Scoller to Caluin Confess Gen ca. 7. Sect. 12. saith that Leo who was Pope Anno Domini 440. did clearly breath forth the arrogancie of the Antichristian
haue come downe euen from the first Seate of S. Peter the Apostle to the present Bishop of Rome Anastasius that holdeth the Seate at this day thus he Reyn in his confer with M. Hart. pag. 443 The which saying of S. Aug. being vrged by a Catholike Writer Mr. Hart against Mr. Reynoldes He maketh him aknowledge that the Succession of the Romane Bishops was a proofe of true Faith in the time of S. Augustine Epiphan Optatus Tertullian Irenaeus The like acknowledgmēt or answere thereto is made by many other Learned Protestants as by Mr. Ridley in Mr Fox his Acts Mon. pag. 1359. by Mr. Iewell in his Reply to Mr. Harding pag. 246. by Caluin in his Instit li. 4. ca. 2. Now if Possession and Succession of some hundred yeares were so esteemed of by those holy Fathers yea euen by our aduersaryes themselues as a proofe of true Faith and Apostolicall doctrine Shall not the Possession with a continuall not interrupted Successiō of 239. Bishops during a thousand sixe hundred and odde yeares be of great force valew and shall not such a Prioritie of Possession receaue fauour in your lawe seing it is but the last day and as yet within your owne appointed time of Limitation since we in this kingdome were thrust out of our former rightfull so long continued possession all contrary to the Auncient lawes of Nations condemned of crime and transgression in the matter of Religion not so much as hauing our accusers before vs nor place to defend vs concerning the crime But our Aduersaryes beeing not able to denie this Succession of Bishops in the Sea of Rome for so doing it were to oppose themselues against all writers both sacred prophane they Imagine a supposed change of Religion during the fore said succession Pleaseth it therefore your wisedomes we shew further demonstration of her not change in this point mentioned in our application neither in any Article of Faith by manifest testimonie of our learned aduersaries It is generally confessed by our Aduersaries that our now professed Cath. Faith concerning Cath. Priesthood likewise all other needfull points of Faith professed not only by the Catholiks of England but of all Nations where the Cath. Faith is professed is one and the same which hath beene taught defended these last 1000. yeares euen since our conuersion from Paganisme to the Christian Faith by S. Austine the Monke sent by Pope Gregory into England that it was most vndoubtedly our now professed Cath. Faith it remaineth yet to this present day euident in two speciall respects As first by our established continuance in our Cath. Faith without any other noted or known beginning thereof or of any one part thereof from this present age vp to the first time of our first conuersion for otherwise could the English Cronographers of euery of those meane ages make dalie mention of the other Alterations changes which happened in this Kingdome either in temporall or Church affaires could could they recite in particular the noted heresies arising As the heresies of Lollards Wicklifists the rest arising in England noted by the ancient Historiographers by our late Writers Mr Stow Holinshead Fox and the Century-writers in the fifth chapter of very Ctntury of foundations of so many Bishops Seas cathedrall Churches colleges Monasteries c. as are noted by Mr. Harrison in his description of England Cap. 2. pa. 140. Togethr also with the alteration of our temporall lawes and so many mutations in gouerment by Saxons Danes Normans and otherwise the many battailes fought the many rebellions attempted the succession of Kings times of their deathes the creation of nobilitie the onerthrow of noble families and be withall yet wholy silent in that so great change of Religion Mr. Godwin in his catalogue of the Bishops of England reporting distinctly the very names succession in so many seuerall Seas of our English Catholike Bishops euen from this present age vp to the foresaid Augustine once Bishop of Canterbury reporting likewise their actes good or euill yett makes no mention of any change or innouation brought or assented to by any one of these many Bishops so much as but in any one point of our now professed Catholike Faith Whereas on the contrary part we are able to shew to them the beginning contradiction of the aduerse doctrine not only of these innouatouts here in England as of Wicliffs Tindall their old new Apostles but likewise of all haeresies Innouation Contradiction with the time place thereof euen since the Apostles times Your wisedomes therefore may discerne that our now professed Cath. doctrine thus perpetuating it selfe by the hand of time with a current not interrupted successiō but cōtinued euen from the Raigne of King Henry the 8. vp to the first time of our said cōuersion demonstrateth it selfe most plainly therby to be the same vndoubted Cath. Religion whereto we Englishmen were first conuerted by S. Austin Secondly this point is made as yet much more certaine euident in that sundry of our aduersaries yea the most learned amongst them as D. Humfrey Humf. in Iesuit part 2. ra◠5. p. 5 Carion l. 4. in Cron. p. 567. Luke Osiander in his Epit. hist Eccl. cent 6. pag. 289. 290. the Century-writers of Magdeburch Cent. 6. cap. 10. col 148 others do describe the particulars of Religion so then taught professed by S. Gregory S. Augustine writing and affirming the said particulars to be Altars Vestiments Images Chalices Crosses Candlestickes Censars holy Vessels holy water the sprinkling thereof Reliques Translation of Reliques Dedicating of Churches to the bones ashes of Saints consecrating of Altars Chalices Corporalls consecration of the Font of Baptisme Chrisme Oyle Consecration of Churches with sprinkling of holy water Celebration of Masse the Archbishops Pallatt solemne Masse-time Romane Masse bookes a burden as they terme it of ceremonies Free will Merite and Iustification by workes Penance Satisfaction Purgatory the Vnmarried life of Priests publique inuocation of Saints and their worship the worshipping of Images Exorcismes Pardons Vowes Monachisme Transubstantatiō Praier for the dead the Romane Bishops claime exercise of Iurisdiction and primacy ouer all Churches and lastly euen the whole Chaos of Popish superstition as these Protestant Writers blasphemously terme it So farre the foresaid writers affirme these particulars to haue bene taught by the Churche of Rome and in the which the English men were first instructed by S. Augustine sent by S. Gregory Printed at Basil 1558. as Io. Bale in Act. Rom Pont. pag. 44. 45. 46. saith that Augustine was sent from Gregory to season the English Saxons with Popish faith Euen here Right honorable wise might we make our stand and so presume without all further proceeding humbly to offer vp to your graue considerations whether it were not a point of high Iudgement altogether vnworthy your mature learned iudgements to
in respect of the Blessed Sacrament which is by them offered to God vnder Christ the high Preeist and in his steed place as S. Ambrose S. Cypr. do affirme as the Churches externall and acceptable oblatiō Ambr. in 1. Tim. ca. 4.14 S. Cypr. li. 2 Ep. 3 acknowledged by learned Protestants to haue bene for such accordingly offered not only for these thousand yeares last past but also for so many other praecedent Ages For these last thousand yeares it is a generall opinion amongst Protestants Fol. 344. Mr. Beacon in his Treatise intituled The Reliques of Rome affirmeth saying The Masse was fully finished by Gregory the first about Anno 600 c. And from Charles the Greate vnto Charles the 5. the Masse raigned as a most mightie Queene in all the Churches of the west part of the world Melancth lib. 4. Fol. 186. Chronic. in Henr. 4 saith of S. Greg. that he allowed by publike authority the sacrifice of Christs Body Bloud not only for the liuing but also for the dead Thesame is affirmed by many other Protestante writers Before Gregorie was Pelagius whome Masculus loc com de Caena Domini pag. 336. And Mr. Simonds vpon the Reuel pag. 81. both of them being Protestante writers do directly charge with the opinion of the Masse helping the dead Symachus was Bishop of Rome Anno 501. of whome the Century-writers say Cent. 6. ca. 10. col 664. Fol. 27. Notas Antichristi hic habuit Missam enim in formam redigit Before him was S. Leo Anno 440. of whome Mr. Bale in his Pageant of Popes saith Leo the first allowed the sacrifice of the Masse c. Before Leo was the fourth and fift Councell of Carthage at which was present S. Augustine the one reproued by Pelargus in his Schola fidei for allowing prayer Pag. 13. Masse for the dead the other by Luke Osiander cent 4 pag. 16. for that in the 27. Canon of this fourth Councell mentiō was made of Prayers oblations for the dead Before these Councells was S. Ambrose Anno 370. whome the Cent. writers cent 4. ca. 4. col 295. Do charge with not writing well de Transubstantiatione applicatione pro mortuis Before him was Gregory Nissen of the Greeke Church Anno 340 whom Andraeas Crastonius in his booke against Bellarmine chargeth for allowing the Euchariste to be likewise a sacrifice Crasto de opificio Missae lib. 1. Sect 146. Also S. Cyrill of Hierusalem another Father of the Greekes florished Anno 320. Holpinianus chargeth him for his acknowledgment of Masse Hosp in Hist Sacram pag. 167. Prayer for the dead Before these times liued S. Cyprian Anno 240. of whome the Cent. writers do say cent 3. cap. 4. col 89. Sacerdotem vice Christi fungi in Coena Domini superstitiose asserit Cyprianus The same affirmeth Mr. Fulk against Sanders pag 100 Before him liued Tertullian Anno 220. whom Osiander cent 3. lib. 1. cap. 5. and Mr. Fulk in his Conf. of Purg. pa 265. do charge for allowing of Masse for the dead Before him was Irenaeus Anno 170. whom Caluine chargeth for affirming the sacrifice of Melchisedech to haue bene a figure of the sacrifice of the Masse Cal lib. de vera Eccl. refor Cent 2. cap. 4. col 63. Before him liued Ignatius the Apostles vndoubted Scoller Anno 90 whome the Cent. writers do charge for saying that it was not lawfull to offer or to sacrifice without a Bishop Lastly Mr. Beacon in his reliques of Rome being a great diuine amongst our Aduersaries affirmeth seriously saying Fol. 344. the Masse was begotten conceaued borne anon after the Apostles times if all be true that Historiographers do write This same saith Sebastianus Francus Heb Ep. de abrog stat Eccl. and Hospinianus in Hist Sacram. li. 1. ca. 6. pag. 20. affirmeth that in the very Apostles times this was the opinion of many men Now therefore may it vouch safe your wisedomes to consider duly this Priority of our possession and successiue continuance of this our Cath. doctrine deduced from the Apostles times euen our Enemies being Iudges And take heed of that saying of S. Aug. in no vet Test quaest no. Heretickes saith he do trouble breake the order of succeeding Bishops begunne by S. Petr. and brought downe by ofspring one Bishop succeeding another and so challenge vnto themselues a certaine order with out beginning SECTION VI. OF PRAESCRIPTION IF Praescription it self wherof no memory occurreth to the contrary be a matter of any importance with your honors Right graue Learned Iudges you shall then here finde our now professed Catholike Religion deduced from the Apostles times by your learned writers confessed Surely I perswade my selfe that if any one Baron Earle or Duke in England could shew but half of these yeares we can shew for the continuance and possession of any temporall state Lordship or land in England he would highly esteeme therof and therby make a glorious defence against any wrangling companion that should pretend thesame and depriue him therof if he should truely say proue as we do the cause of our Church neither were it credible that the Iudges of his cause should giue the definitiue against him But no man can prescribe any such time in temporall matters and therfore are they well called temporall for that they chāge in a litle time No Dukedome or Earledome continuing lightly 3. or 4. generations together in any one name or family as may be easily seene in Camdens story where he taketh vpon him to recount the Earles Dukes that had their states titles ouer such a shire But as for matters of Religion Almighty God hath giuen another manner of force vnto succession both of men faith as for example in the law of nature he made thesame to endure by only tradition without writing for more then 2500. yeares vnder the Ancient Patriarches before after the Flood of Noe. And afterward againe in the written lawe the iewes continued the possession of their religion by succession of Bishops and Ecclesiasticall Gouernors from Moyses vnto Christ aboue 1500. yeares not withstanding of all the varietie of times calamities And no lesse from Christ to our age hath he continued the same in a much more gratious sorte manner notwithstanding so many mutations both in the Romane Empire all other Realmes Kingdomes yet euer hath succession of Pastours vnion of faith remained First therfore our aduersaries will not sticke vpon the first 100. yeares which reached to S. Gregories time but will graunt vnto vs that the Masse Catholike Priesthood was a generall doctrine throughout the whole world Pow. Pag 105. So Mr. Powell in his considerations of the Papish reasons I grant saith he that from the yeare of Christ 605. the professant company of popery hath bene very visible perspicuous Perk. pa. 307. Mr. Perkins in his
exposition of the creed affirmeth that from Gregories daies to Luthers which was 900. yeares the Popish heresy had spredd it self ouer the whole earth The like acknowledgement doth make Simon de Voyon Mr. Fulk others heretofore cited Nap. pag. 68. Mr. Napper that so greatly commended aduersary in his Treatise vpon the Reuel dedicated to the K. Maiesty granted vs 1260. yeares of prescription saying that betwixt the yeare of Christ 300. 316. Anti-christiaÌ„ raigne began raigning vniuersally without any debatable contradictioÌ„ 1260. yeares thesame affirmeth Mr. Brocard vpoÌ„ the reuelatioÌ„ Mr. Gifford against the Brownists pag. 38. graunteth vs 1300 Fo. 110. odder yeares saying to offer oblation for the dead was generall in the Church loÌ„g before the daies of S. Austine as appeareth in S. Cyprian Tertull who liued about the yeare 240. Hamelmannus de Traditionibus Fol 741. reacheth vp to S. Denis of Areopag who liued in the in the Apostles times saying that Denis did write much of Churches of Altars of places sanctified of Consecrations Monkes and sundry Ceremonies Sebastianus Francus Epist de abrogandis statut Eccles saith that immediatly after the Apostles times the Masse begun Hospinianus in hist Sacram. lib. 1. ca. 6. affirmeth that it was euen in the Apostles times they being yet aliue Mr. Ascham a prime protestant in his Apol. pro caena Dom. pag. 31. acknowledged that no beginning therof can be shewed Mr. Gab. Powell pag. 43. in his consideration of the Papistes Supplication being prouoked that if our Catholike doctrine be errour then to tell vs when it came in who was the Author of it c. Answereth thereto acknowledging and saying We cannot tell by whome or at what time the Enemie did sow it neither indeed do we know who was the first Author of euery one of your blasphemous opinions And Mr. VVhitaker in Resp ad Camp rat 7. pag. 101. confesseth that the Romane Churches change cannot easily be tould Now if that rule Aug Ep. 118. or proofe of Apostolical doctrine of S. Aug. be true viz. Whatsoeuer opinion is not knowne to haue begun since the Apostles times thesame is not new or secondary but receiued it is originall from the Apostles themselues The which Rule saith Mr. VVhitgift some times Archb of Canterb. in his defence pag. 352. was of credit with the writers of our time namely with Mr. Zuinglius Mr. Caluine Mr. Gualter and surelie saith he I thinke no learned man doth dissent from them the which Rule he likewise vrgeth against Mr. Cartwright his Puritane Brother in defence of the names Metropolitanes Cartwr ag whilg pag â—03 352. and Bishops to whome Mr. Cartwr answeareth saying I appeale to the Iudgement of all men if this be not to bring in Poperie againe to allow of S. Augustins saying c. Further he affirmeth that therby a window is open to bring in all Popery Therfore seeing according to S. Augustins rule the opinion doctrine whose beginning is not knowne whose Antiquity cannot be found is a proofe of Apostolike Doctrine it followeth that the opinion whose beginning is knowne the Antiquity Author therof found is a sufficient proofe of false doctrine And hence it is that S. Hierome saith To reduce an heresie to a beginning is a confutation of it Hiero. ad Clesiphont And seing that our aduersaries caÌ„ shew no beginning or Author of the foresaid pointe of Catholike Priesthood yea not of any one necessary and essentiall Article of Catholike doctrine on the other part seing we caÌ„ reduce euery pointe of aduerse doctrine to his beginning Author time place froÌ„ Christ to this day according to the promise made by God himself to his Catholike Church that Pastors Eph. 4.12 Isa 6â— 6 Doctors must be in the Church till the Consummation of Saints who shal be as watchmen all the day and all the night for euer they shall not hould their peace but shall alwayes resist false opinions innouations with open reprehension CoÌ„sequently it followeth this our Catholike doctrine wherto we were so many Ages since conuerted to be no new or secondary since the Apostles times but truely primitiue and vndoubtedly Apostolike And contrariwise our aduersaries doctrine to be new secondary false and Apostaticke And this concerning Praescription SECTION VII OF CONTINVALL CLAIME IF Continuall Claime be a matter amongst you wherby Right title are preserued It is more then euident that this our Catholike Church hath bene euer waking ready euen within the yeare day so to preserue her right in this and other points against all Sects and heresies whatsoeuer and howsoeuer deuided otherwise among themselues did generally conspire to oppose themselues as against their capitall enemie This is euident to this day in Anabaptistes Swenckfeldians Libertines Antrinitarians etc. Who thinke the reformation of Religion to consist specially in the abnegation of our Catholike Faith terming themselues in such respect reformed Churches and euery one of them thinking themselues so much more reformed then others by how much they are further then others dissenting from our Catholike Religion it needeth no better proofe then that of the Protestants Puritanes in England We haue not bene wanting to this Continuall Claime before Luthers time by reason of our former confessed quiet possession euen in the iudgement of our very aduersaries And our need since his time hath bene but in some countries in which our Claime hath bene so dailie continued as we hould it needlesse to proue the same so that our aduersaries are forced to say their Church was for many yeares inuisible contrary to that promise made by God himselfe to his Church Esay 62.2 saying vpon thy Walles ô Hierusalem haue I set watchmen all the day night for euer they shall not be silent Pag. 191. 188. Mr. Napper in his booke vpon the Reuelation dedicated to the Kings Maiestie affirmeth that this abiding of Gods Temple so long latent and obscure is most certaine Noe true visible Church nor sincere doctrine publiquely opened that any man may haue accesse vnto Againe from the yeare of Christ 316. Pag. 161. God hath withdrawne his Church from open assemblies into the harts of particular godly men where it abode inuisible to these our daies the space of 1260. yeares acknowledging likewise that during the foresaid space of 1260 yeares the Catholike Romane Church did possesse the foresaid Continuall Claime affirming that from Constantines time till those our daies euen 1260. years the Pope his Clergie haue possessed the outward visible Church of Christians Pag 43. Mr. Gab. Powell in his consideration of the Papistes supplication saith We cannot tell by whome or at what time the enemie did sowe c. meaning our Catholike doctrine Mr. Fulk in his Reioined Pag. 265. being vrged with this demand I answeare quoth he my text saith it was a misterie not reuealed therfore could not be at the
first preached against And Mr. D. Field of the Church answereth our demaund in this manner saying Pag. 8◠The errours of the Church of Rome were so brought in that both they that were the Authors of them others that neuer fell into them were of one Communion and therefore it is most absurd to require vs to shew these circumstances viz concerning any beginning of our Catholike doctrine since the Apostles times But I appeale to your honors graue Iudgments if the answer of this diuine be not more absurd then the demaund But such euasorie arguments as these be all we can gett of our Aduersaries Hier. 33.18 The Prophet Hieremie speaking of the Pastors of Gods Church saith that they shal be multiplied to minister vnto him not with interrupted seasōs but continually euen as the Prophet Isay saith from month to month Isa 66.21 Dan. 2.44 from Sabaoth to Sabaoth neither saith Daniell shall this kingdome of the Church be giuen ouer to another people but shall stand for euer Isay 60. Againe Isay saith in plaine termes that Kings shall minister vnto the Church her grates shal be continually open neither day nor night shall they be shutt that men may bring to her the riches of the Gentiles Hence it is that one of your writers confesseth The saying of one of their late writers that if our faith hath bene interrupted quoth he since Christs time so much as one yeare month or day-were sufficient to proue vs no part of the Church of God so Mr. VVhite in his booke the way to the true Church pag. 86. Matth. 16. The like promises are mentioned in the new Testament Vpon this Rocke saith our Sauiour will I build my Church and hell gates shall not preuaile against it Againe Lo I am with you euen to the consummation of the world And S. Paul Matth. vlt. speaking of the priuiledges granted to the Church saith He gaue some Apostles and some Prophets Eph. 4. and other some Euangelistes and other some Pastors and Doctors to the consummation of the Saints vnto the worke of the ministrie vnto the edifying of the body of Christ vntill we meete all vnto the vnity of faith knowledge of the loue of God into a perfect man into the measure of the age of the fulnesse of Christ That is according to all Expositors euen Protestants Cal. Inst ca. 8. Melan. in loc com Fulk against the Rhem. Testam vnto the worlds end But those ministeriall offices of Pastors and Doctors c. cannot be exercised where the Pastors know not their sheepe nor the sheepe their Pastors which could not be when the Church was inuisible withdrawne from open assemblies to the harts of particular godly men for the space of 1260. yeares as Mr. Napper affirmeth on the reuel pag. 161. Neither can it be said which D. Field in his foresaid Answer affirmeth that they who where of the true Church and they that were not were of one Communion seing that no man can be saued that inwardly houldeth one Religion and onwardly professeth another as our Sauiour teacheth Math. 10 and the Apost Rom. 10. For so Mr. D. Field will haue mē to be in the true Church yet not be saued Which implieth a flat contradiction and so he imagines absurdities in other mens sayings but he seeth not the contradictions in his owne If S. Austine were aliue he would deale in no better termes with these our aduersaries then he did disputing against the Donatists for maintaining of a pretended inuisible Church these be his wordes Aug. in Psa 101. Belike saith he that Church which was the Church of all Nations is now no more she is gone she is lost this say they that are not in her ô impudent speech she is not because you are not in her take heed least thou thy self be not therefore for she shal be though thou be not And then doth he bring in the Church speaking thus How long time shall I be in this world Tell me for their sakes that say there hath bene a Church but now there is none she is become Apostata she is banished away from all nations It was shewed me Who shewed me euen the way himself When Lo I am with you euen to the consummation of the world Neither can it be said that S. Austine speaketh of a Church inuisible for that neuer to haue perished the Donatists did willingly admit as here also he testifieth What other argument I pray you did Luther vse against the Iewes to proue that the Messias was come but that these promises of the Prophets were fulfilled not in their Sinagogs which were for so long time together scattered these be Luthers wordes Quomodo hoc quadrabit Luther lib. de Iudae is Tom. 7. printed at Wittemb legem ipsorum esse duraturam in aeternum cum iam annis plus 1500. sacerdotium templum cultus omnia deleta funditus euersa iaceant supra modum vehementer ridiculum est quod nos Gentes Iudaei persuadere volunt ad suam inter-mortuam absoletam legem quae nunc per annos 1500 antiquata abolita est c. Was not this pretended latencie and Inuisibility cause of the reuolt of sundry of the learnedest men among our aduersaries Bernardine Ochine whom all Italy could not match for learning Cal. lib. de scād as Caluine saith hauing entred but into examination of this forsaid scruple began here vpon to stagger become perplexed saying When I did consider how Christ by his power wisdome Bern. Ochin in praef suorum Dialog and goodnes had founded estabished his Church washed it with his bloud enriched it with his spirit and againe I had discerned how the same was vtterly ouer throwne I could not but wonder and being desirous to know the cause I found there had bene Popes In so much as hee proceeded from this conceipt of the Popes preuailing further to teach Circumcision and Poligamie in defence of the which last point he wrote a booke in Italian In hist Georgij Dauid is printed at Anno 1568. Dauid George the Hollander considering the promises made by God himself of the continuance of his Church not fulfilled in the Protestants Church became a blasphemours Apostata affirming our B. Sauiour to be a seducer saying If the doctrine of Christ his Apostles had bene true perfect the Church which they planted c. should haue continued c. The like befell vnto Sebastian Castalion a learned Caluinist Castal in the preface to his Latin Bible who staggering in his Religion fell to doubtfull searches of our Christian Faith Neither is England wanting examples of diuers Professours who haue in the end denied the diuinitie of Christ whereof in Q. Elizabeths time two were burned at Norwich Rogers of the Church of England pag. 9. By these examples your VVisedomes may easily perceiue the inueterate and more then