Ministery and worship The protestant Authors of the defence of the ministers reasons Defencâ— epist dediâ— for refusall of subscription tell vs very many points are contrary to the word of God And add in this maner if the Questions bee of noe substance toyes and trifles what meaneth such vrdginge and pressing of tâ—em and the more sâ—uere punishingâ— of the not obseruinge them then of the weightiest matters not of our lawe but of the lavve of God it selfe vvâ—at meane all those dyuers and lardge treatises dayly published by them that call them trifles in tâ—eir defence if trifles soe seriously to mayntayne them argueth want of iudgment to knovve vvhat is meete to bee done They might haue added alsoe want of Religion and iustice to denounce soe many seuerall excommunications for things not materiall as before are cited Neither can the condition of these men by any morall iudgment in their owne proceedings bee otherwise for hauing generally by their allowed Articles princes letters patents Statutes and such protestant Consistories vncanonized diuers bookes of holy scriptures condemning diuers of their errors denyed diâ—â—ne traditions the vnwritten worde of God the infallible authoritie and iudgment of generall Councells in matters of faithe the supreame commaunding power of the Apostolicke See of Rome endowed with greatest priuiledges from Christ our Sauiour not regarding the doctrine of the learned primatiue fathers but condemning these and all Churches of Error in Religion and fantastically making their owne priuate spirits erroneous iudgment and deductions from false translations of scriptures They must needs fall to these prophane absurdities of lying deceauing willfull corruptions falsifications and the like vngodly and vnchristian dealings or els manifest and lay open their Heresies and moste straunge innouations to the vewe of the whole worlde euen the moste simple and ignorant whome they haue abused and seduced by such practizes I will onely exemplifie in towe protestant writers D. Willet and M Parkes both writing with priuiledge and publicke allowance one against the other and either of them taxing the other in this kinde of impietie as followeth M. Parkes writing but against one little booke published by this D. Willet named Lymbomastix denyinge the Article of Christs discent into hell hath these words Holy scripture is much Parâ—es sect 5. 8. pag 14 144 1â—9 71. sect 22. 5. 7. abused corrupted and straungely peruerted they intrude into the text the holy scriptures are belyed the scripture abused falsefyed the originall greeke yt selfe clyppâ—d in citing scriptures words are left out they inuert the scriptures to serue their turne Holy scripture is much abused straungely peruerted notoriously depraued belyed manifestly wrested c. How holy fathers and such authorities are delt with by this doctor in that treatise Parkes sup against lymb p. 70 151 def of 3. test sect 〈…〉 def of 1. 2 test p 2 â— seâ—t 18 21 p 181. 166. 101. 100. def of 2â— place sect 10 11. 20. def of 3. test sâ—ct 7. 12. 15. 16 c pag. 7. 10 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24 25. pag. 28. def of 1. 2. 3. testim c. Parâ—â—s Apolog sup epist. dedic hee writeth thus Hee condemneth all the auntient fathers for dreamers condemneth all the fathers Hee condemneth all learneb and Godly diuiâ—as for enemies of Christs crosse and blaâ—pâ—emâ—rs of his passion Hee iustifieth mâ—ste wickeâ— Hereticks and condemneth moste holy fathers Hâ—e falsely translateth corrupteth indignely hanâ—letâ— clippeth shamely corrupteth iniuriously hanâ—leth greately abuseth vntruely alleadgeth mayneth mistranslateth much abuseth notably corrupteth c. S. Augustine Origen S. Ambrose S. Chrisostome S. Leo S. Hierome Tertullian S Bernard c. And speaking generally of their protestant writers hee writeth in this maner Euery man maketh Religion the handmayde of his affections Wee may say novv that there are soe many faithes as vvills and soe many doctrines as maners of men vvhiles either vvee vvrite them as vvee list or vnderstand them as vvee please in soe much that many are brought to their vvitts ends not knowinge what to doe Men say they know wâ—ome to flye but whome to follow they cannot tell This age is the last and worst wherin heresie and infidelitie ioyne and labour to subuert and ouerthrowe all grounds of Christian Religion by their doctrine and life their moste zelous followers are become irreligeous to God irreuerent towards man discentious in opinions disorderous in maners Religion it selfe is brought to a matter of meere dispute and altercation Not without feare leaste it befall vnto vs as it did vnto the builders of babel or to the brethren of Gadines For as the end of scisme is sect 16. heresie soe is the end of heresie Atheisme The profession of the Ghospell is made a cloke wherewith to couer the sowle prophanation of yt Hitherto some testimonies from M. Parkes The Citations of like nature from his Aduersarie protestant D. Willet are too many and tedious in this kinde to bee related Therefore to giue some coniecture of them I will onely sett downe the Title of his booke which followeth in this Willet titu Lordoromast maner Loidoromastix that is a scourge for a Rayler conteyning a full and sufficient Answeare vnto the vnchristian Raylings slaunders vntruthes and other iniurious imputations vented of late by one Richard Parkes â—aster of arts against the Author of Lymbomastix wherein three â—undred Raylings errors contradictions falsisications of fathers corruptions of scripture â—ith other grosse ouersights are obserued out of the saide vncharitable discourse by Andâ—â—vv Willet Professor of â—iuinitie Hitherto the onely Title of this priuiledged protestant Booke What stuffe is conteyned in the whole worke of this kâ—â—de and how common a thinge it is for protestant writers to dissemble corrupt falsefie mistranslate miâ—apply c. scriptures fathers and other authorities to aduantage their cause by such deâ—linges may bee iudged by publicke priuiledge and allowance giuen to such writings Therefore I shall lawfully conclude this qâ—estion with thes words of M. Ormerod concerningâ— Ormer pict purit g. 4. protestants They fill the margents of their bookes fâ—ll of places of scriptureâ— in a wrong sence that â—y this meanes â—â—ey might more easely deceaue the simple people they neâ—ther care for maior minor nor conclusion soâ— they may say some thinge theâ— point their mergent with sâ—amefull abuâ—nge of scripture And to shew these dealings to bee vsuall nor onely in obscurer places but in their vniâ—ersiâ—ie themselues cheefâ—st places of learninge amonge â—â—em in the epistle dedicatorie of the same worke hee writeth thus There is a straunge maner of preaching Ormer sup pict purâ— epist. dâ—â—ic in vse in many places â—othe in tâ—e vniuersities and els wâ—ere 〈◊〉 tâ—ough thâ— puâ—pit were but a sâ—â—â—â—olde in which the preaâ—â—er like a Mastâ—r â—ssâ—nce were to play his prizes and as though the scripture were but a rattle for Children and fooles to make sporte withall hee tosseth it hither and thither and will not sayle to
religion neuer maintayned or taught before is new and hereticall For Scotland this protestant Doctor hath told vs before that Knoxe their cheife protestant disallowed this their seruice which hee testifieth alsoe in his booke against Burges in these words Knoxe disallovved the communion booke Conell against Burg pag. 69. And the same of Knoxe was soe highely applauded with protestants That D. Sutcliffe hath tolde vs before that their Brethren in Scotland had imposition of hands from Knoxe therefore Knoxe not being a Bâ—shop must needs bee an Apostle extraordinarie or greater in his iudgment For France and Suitcerland Caluine and Bucer are renowned amonge protestants and Couell sup pa. 69. 122. pag 47. yett the same protestant Doctor writeth thus Bucer Censured the communion booke Caluine censured the communion booke to conteyne many fooleries And in an other booke in this maner Examinat pag. 185. Caluiue Whoe was in maner of an Oracle of God to all churches that were reformed gaue this Censure of the englisâ— communion booke translated into latine to haue his iudgment of it that many foolish things Were in yt not that puritie which was to bee desired vvas to bee filed from the rust corrected and many things cleane taken avvay For Germanie the protestant Author of the Relation of the state of religion hath these words The princes and people in Germanie haue Caluinists Relation of Relig. â— 45. in greate detestation not for bearing to professe openly they vvill returne to the papacie rather then euer admitt that sacrameÌ„tarie predestinarie pestilence Therefore Catholicks may not communicate with their country protestants in their english seruice soe generally condemned both by themselues and all forreyne protestants Againe I argue thus Noe seruice or fashion of prayer and Sacraments that is by the practizers of them and those which in their IudgmeÌ„t agree with them in all materiall points condemned to haue grosse errors manifest impieties grosse and palpable repugnancie euen in necessarie and essentiall points of Religion misapplyeth scriptures to countenance errors is naught and may bee communicated with But the english protestant seruice and Booke thereof is such therefore not to bee communicated with The maior proposition is euidently true And the minor is thus proued by these protestants M. Ormerod recordeth the Censure of english protestants vppon it in these words The booke Ormerod dial 1. of common prayers and the vvhole order of protestants seruice is coÌ„demned And to shew that they which thus censured it were allowed teaâ—hers and preachers amonge them hee addeth Ormer pict purit d 3. thus in an other book preachers in their verball sermâ—nâ— speake against the state ecclesiasticall tâ—e â—ooke of common prayer and the Ceremonies of the church of England D. Couell â—eâ—â—â—eth Couell exaÌ„ pag 179. theiâ— sâ—â—â—eâ—ce thus The communion bookâ— is boldely despised grosse â—rrors and manifest impieties are in the communion booke The protestant author of Certaine Coâ—sidâ—rations writeth in this maner The protestant communion booke Cert Consider An 1605. p 10 11. 12. 13. 17 Suru pag. 20. 24. anâ— seruice is naught it hath grosse and palpable repugnancie in yt An other protestant writeth thus The communion Booke of England is not agreable to the word of God in many things The communion booke as it hath ministred matter of contention froâ— the first hatchinge of yt Soe it vvill euer bee the fuell of that fyer An other Abbridgm of luic dioc pag. 15. pag. 17. speaketh thus â—he booke of common prayer misapplyeth sondrie places of scripture and that to the mayntayninge of vnsound doctrine The booke of common prayer contayneth in yt sondry things besids them handled in the abbridgment beeing verâ— many that are contrarie to the vvord pag. 73. of God it appointeth sondrie things that tend directly to the prophanation of the holy sacraments either â—y prostituting them to vnvvorthie parsons or administring them vnreuereantly iâ— auoucheth sondrie manifest and apparant vntruthes pag. 74. it appointeth sondrie things that bringe greate disorder and confusion vnto the vvorship of God pag. 75. It conteynes sondrie things that are ridiculous and absurde and â—uch as noe â—reasonable sence can bee made of it conteyns in yt sâ—ndrie euideâ—t contradictions And to giue instance in the publicke preachers of london it selfe Twoe and tuentie of them haue ioyned together in this Censure of this their seruice published it in printin thes words Many things in the communion booke are Petit. of 2â— preachers of London repugnant to the word of God In the communion booke there bee things of which there is noe reasonable sence there is contradiction in yt euen in necessarie and essentiall points of Religion it conteyneth vntruthes in saith the Holy scripture is disgraced in yt it entoyneth vnlawfull Ceremontes conteyneth corrupt translations of holy scriptures misapplyeth places of holy scriptures to the countenance of errors Therfore not to bee communicated with The 9. particular protestant demonstration is Because these protestants by their owne testimonies and published writings are manifest and knowne dissemblers willfull deceauers seducers lyere and periured in matters of Religion CONCERNINGE the Religeous behauiour and maner of life and conuersation of these men doctors preachers and practisers of this new Religion I argue thus Noe men that are manifestly detected dissemblers periured foreswearens lyars and knowne deceauers in matters of Religion euen by the confession of themselues and their essentially agreinge frends are not to bee imitated in Religion but vtterly to bee auoided in such Communications But the english protestant preachers and teachers of Religion are in this condition Therefore not to bee followed but auoided in spirituall communications The maior proposition is euidently true for of all people manifest lyers forswearers and dissemblers with God and man are most to bee discredited and reiected in conuersation especially in religeous things The minor proposition is thus proued by these protestants The protesâ—ant author of the relation of Religion a man of greate creditt and â—â—thoritie in their church writeth thus protestant Relation of Râ—ligion cap. 32. writers in Relation of things haue abused this present age and preiudiced posteritie Louâ— and dislike hath sâ—e dâ—zeled their eyes that they cannot bee beleeued M. Oâ—merod hath these wordâ— It is true indeed there are â—arebraynd inconstant Ormer pagan pag. â—â— 57. and sickle headed amonge protesâ—anâ—â— that are much like vnto â—kebolius tâ—e Sophist of Constantinople whoâ— before Iulian was emperour caried â—imselfe as an earnest Christian vnder Iulian hee became an Apostata and a baganâ— aâ—d after Iulian he woulde bee a christian againe And suâ—h were their cheifest and prime protestants themselues as their Archbishop Cranmeâ— befoâ—e oweinge all dutie and obedience to God twiâ—e swearing yt to the pope to kinge Henry 8 kinge Edward 6 Queene Mary of diuers Religeons and yett hee was an hereticke to God and his church and a periured wretch to all those princes
21. 22. 23. auoyding of communion hee citeth the first generall councell of Nice Augustine Tertullian Pope Melchiades Ambrose Gregorie the greate S. Leâ— the church of Scotland Oecolampadius Caluin Bucor Musculus Peter martyr Beza Zanchius Pezelius Mollerus Szegâ—dinus Danaeus Michabaeus Zepperus Wigandus M. Rogers the latâ— Queenes iniunctions her Canons Bishop Iâ—wâ—ll B. Pilkinton B. Westphalingâ— Bilson D. Humfry D. Fulke D. Andrevves D. Sutcliffe and other protestants Soe that wee see by these men that this is onely the doctrine of the primatiue Councells fathers Emperors and the present catholicke church but generally of protestants themselues The second proposition that these protestants are hereticks is directly proued before by their owne writings for men obstinately settinge vpp and mayntayninge against their lawfull superior and commaunding Authoritie a congregation of men wanting true preaching of the word of God due ministration of sacramens and an intruded and vsurped ministery as by their owne testimonies they haue longe tiue done and still doe must needs bee hereticks For thus they define heresie Hereticks Couell exâ— pag. 202. Ormerod dial 2. are men obstinately â—rringe in some fundamentall poynt Such as these bee by their owne doctrine before And these againe Hee is an hereticke which soâ— swarueth from the vvholesome doctrine as contemning the iudgment both of God and the church persisteth in his opinion and breaketh the peace of the church As these men haue longe time done in the highest degree and soe still perseuere Secondly as I haue alsoe proued before D. Couell exaÌ„ pag. 199. Couell writeth thus Hereticks are they vvhoe directly gaynesay some article of our faith are or haue beene condemned by some generall Councell But these protestants are in this state condemned as they haue acknowledged in diuers such articles by diuers councells which they write and testifie to bee generall as the second Nicene Councell the Councell of Florence Constance Laterane and others and not in some one article of faith though that by their recited definition were sufficient to make them hereticks but in all or the cheefest articles of their Religion and yett not onely obstinately they defend their Errors against these allowed generall Councells and the whole Catholicke church but moste vnchristianely and heretically haue in their subscribed article condemned these their lawfull iudges to haue erred in those Articu 19. things which is the greatest and moste notorious act of heresie that can bee and such as destroyeth all true Religion Therefore by their owne Censure they are notorious hereticks not to bee communicated withall in matters of Religion Thirdly I suppose in this place breefely which these protestants before haue testified at lardge that they all agree in fundamentall points without variance at all And that definition of heresie by them before Hereticks are men obstinately erring in some fundamentall Couell exaÌ„ pag. 202. point And I argue these whosoeuer by themâ—â—lues pretended to agree in all fundamentall essentiall and materiall things are yett by them selues often ceâ—â—ured denounced and adiuged to bee hereticks are to bee esteemed for such and not to bee communicated with in Religeous things But these english protestants by their owne Censures and iudgments are in this condition Therefore to bee esteemed and in spirituall communication to bee auoided as hereticks The maior proposition is euidently true for as the christian philosopher writeth Satie firmum argumentum est c. That argument Lactant firmian Insti l. 4. de vera sap cap. 12. or euidence that is giuen of the enemyes themsâ—lues is stronge enough to proue the truthe for noe man will deny that which both frends and opposites affirme The minor proposicion that english protestants by their owne censures are hereticks is proued by them in this order D. Willet writeth in these words protestants VVillet apud Parkesp 20 haue sett a foote straunge nouelâ—ies paradoxes vvhirle pilt poynts bubbâ—â—s of nevv doâ—trine straunge and vnsounde positions contrary to the scripture Therefore by their doctrine hereticall and they bee hereticks which M. Parkes Parkes ag lymb inpref sup ep ded Ormer dial 2. Ormer pict pur intitul Ormer dial 1. speaking of them plainely testifieth in these words they haue pestilent heresiâ—s And againe They are hereticall and sacriledgeous M. Ormerod writeth of these soe well agreing protestants in this maner They are in the compasse of heresie And againe They doe resemble the Anabaptists condemned hereticks in aboue sourescore seuerall things And further these They ioyne sondrie things vvith the pharises Apostolicks Aerians Pepusians Petrobusians Florinians Cerinthians Nazarens Beguardines Ebionites Catababdites Catherists Iouinians c. All which bee condemned hereticks both by this mans other protestants iudgment And hee addeth further in these words there vvas scarce heresie inuented Ormer dial 2. by olâ— hereâ—icks which they haue not ioyned in reuiue and renevve vvith freâ—h and nevv colours Therefore by their owne testimonie they are hereticks if hereticks or notorious hereticks bee hereticks Againe I argue in this maner whosoeuer are obstinate in their errors being such that strike at mayne points of faith shake the foundation it selfe heauen and hell the diuinitie humanitie and the verie soule and saluation of Christ are to bee auoyded as hereticks But these english agreing protestants by their owne writings are such Therefore to bee auoyded as hereticks The maior proposition is euidently true The minor proposition is thus proued by M. Parkes whoe in his booke dedicated to their late Archbishop of Canterbury D. Bancroft writeth of these agreing protestants in these words They are heade stronge and hardened in Parkes â—pist dedic error they stricke at mayne points of faith shaking the foundation it selfe and calling in question heauen and hell the diuinitie and humanitie yea the very soule and saluation of our Sauiour himselfe Therefore hereticks by their owne testimonie Further I argue thus whatsoeuer pretended Religion doth sow swarue from the holy scriptures and Gods commaundments that it cannot bee kept without breach of them and is soe notoriously impious that by those of their owne profession and accompted godly amonge them it hath beene accompted to haue noe lawes noe good order noe discipline c. is hereticall But the english protestant Religion by their owne confession is such Therefore hereticall and not to bee communicated with in spirituall things The maior proposition is manifestly true And the minor is thus proued by these protestants themselues The english protestant author of the booke named certayne demaunds writeth in these words the protestant Cert demauÌ„ds An. 1605. p. 42. Ormer piâ—â— pur c. 3. Religion of EnglaÌ„d cannot bee kept without breach oâ— the commaundements M Ormerod writeth thus it hath beene conceaued by godly men in forreyne Contreyes that the english protestants haue noe lawes noe good orders noe discipline but that euery man may doe what hee list Therefore if their owne godly brethren in Religion and by their owne Relation as
Scismatici contra Episcopos non sunt audiendi Scismaticks are not to bee hard against Bishops M. Ormerod speaketh of them in this maner Ormer dial 2. They peâ—seuer in inueterate and olde Scisme which by the auntient fathers and protestants alsoe maketh heresie Therefore protestants are both scismaticks and hereticks M. Powell himselfe Povvell cons pa 11. 16 19. pag. 25. 35. 48. 52. a puritane writeth thus of them They are Scismaticall they are in scisme thâ—â—r caâ—e is â—â—ismaticall they haue pâ—anaticall giddinâ—s Sciâ—mes factions and innouation thâ—â— are soâ—ers â—f sâ—diâ—ion scisme and faction they are scismaticks they are guiltie of scisme M Parkes calleth them Scismaticall hereticall and sacriledgeous they are Parkes Apol â—pist ded headstronge in Scisme and hardened in error How the puritane protestants vppon the groundes of our english protestants haue condemned all protestaÌ„t churches to be scismatical against the church and Pope of Rome is related before and the protestant author of the Cert consid An. 1565. â—p dedicat booke named certaine considerations giueth this testimonie The protestants of England syn against God in their proceedings their Religion is sedâ—tious a sect Scisme it is much like to an euill herbe or vveâ—de vvhich if it bee not speedely rooted vp but suffered to spreade vvill soone ouerspreade the gardons of God vvitâ— vice and impietie as there will scarce beâ— any roume left for vertue and pietie And D. Couell a man of best temper in writing amonge them speaketh thus of Couell exâ—â— pag. 139. their english protestants The scismes and diuisions amongst vs haue made a number renounce their office Then if the protestant Ministers themselues haue thus obserued themselues to bee in Scismes and therevppon renounced their office and communion Catholickâ— may not now begyn to communicate with them thus by themselues condemned for Scismaticks The 8. particular protestant demonstration for Catholicks iust Recusancie is Because the publicke protestant Seruice at which they refuse to bee present and communicate in is false hereticall iustely condemned and damnable by their owne doctrine NOw to come to their preteÌ„ded church seruice it selfe at which because Catholicks moste iustely as before refuse to bee present and for such Recusancie or Refusall are moste vniustly and aboue the measure of punishment of the greatest and notorious syns excepting treasons and matters of state punished and afflicted being conteyned in that their soe called Communion Booke or Booke of common prayers I argue thus Noe man may communicate with Hereticks and Scismaticks especiallie in prayers and publicke seruice not onely inuented and vsed without the allowance of the true and lawfull pastors but directly opposite and repugnant to the highest spirituall authoritle and iurisdiction But the english protestants by their owne testimonies before are in this case Therefore not to bee communicated with in such prayers and seruice Secondly I argue thus noe new deuised order of prayer deuised by consortinge vnto and in it selfe conteyninge and approuinge a Religion contrary to holy scriprures both the written and vnwritten word of God generall Councells decrees and doctrine of the primatiue Popes and fathers and to all churches of Christendome both present and heretofore derogatorie both to the triumphant militant and patient church of Christ where â—ll sacraments and instruments of grace either are absolutely denyed oâ— soe vnduely and prophanely vsed that all grâ—ce by them is taken away from the lyuinge from them that die from Cleargie from laitie for the maried vnmaryed olde younge Ritch and pore and where there is not true ministery nor church to haue any hope of saluation in may bee communicated withall especially if these moste greuous and enormeous absurdities and inconueniences bee proued and made apparant by the cheife professors themselues of such a supposed Religion But the lamentable case and condition of these english protestants as is demonstratiuely proued by them befor is such as is her recited Therfore their seruice not to be communicated with vnder moste damnable and desperate syn Thirdly I argue in this maner whatsoeuer seruyce rite of sacraments or fashion of prayer was condemned by the best learned protestants of England Scotland Fraunce c. to bee foolish trifelinge and by reason apparant to bee disallowed and yett was deuised and allowed by the onely authoritie of an vnlearned childe kinge Edward 6. and Queene Elizabeth a woman not onely repugnant vnto the publicke approued office of our mother and commaundinge church the church of Rome but different from the custome of all protestant churches may not bee communicated withall But the english protestant Seruice and booke of common prayer is such by these protestants themselues Therfore by them not to bee communicated with The maior proposition is euidently true for the seruice that should bee soe receaued by any particular and not commaunding church as the english is not against the vse order and doctrine of all other churches true or pretended must needs bee both scismaticall and hereticall The minor proposition is thus proued first that the english protestant seruice is repugnant vnto the publicke seruice of the latine greeke Armenian other auntient churches it is euident by their liturgies Masses litanies c. conteining the doctrines Miss S. Iacobi Chrisâ— Basil Aethiopum Mussarob Gregor c Couell against Burg pag. 69. of transsubstantiation prayer to Saints for the deade c. how it differeth from other protestant churches and was condemned by the best learned protestants of them is thus proued by protestants them selues First D. Couell writeth in these words The protestant Bishop of London Ridley a cheefe martyr with M. Foxe wrote vnto M. Grindall after their protestant Arâ—hbishop of Canterbury that a man of witâ— and learninge may finde to make apparant reasons against the booke of common prayer Then I may first conclude that this their pseudomartyr practizing that Booke and seruice against witt and learninge was either vnlearned and wittles or without Religion grace and conscience or both as others succeding vnto him bee by his Censure and such Booke and seruice not to bee communicated with And to shew that this opinion of their Bishop Ridley was not singular but common amonge those first protestants he writeth thus in another treatise The first protestants of this kingdome in a letter Couell â—xaÌ„ pag. 72. subscribed with eleuen of their hands whereof Knoxe Gilby Whittingam Goodman were foure moste of them suerly hauing both learninge iudgment call the english protestant Ceremonies trifles and superfluous Ceremonies From whence I first conclude that their seruice soe censured with soe many learned and iudicious men as this protestant esteemeth them may not bee communâ—cated with Secondly I conclude this their protestant Religion and seruice to bee new against all former churches and ages and soe hereticall For hee calleth those Censurers of the communion Booke first deuised vnder kinge Edward 6. The first protestants of this kingdome Therefore this their
as before is manifest and soe of others The same is confirmed to bee alsoe agreable to the behauiour of their doctors in this time of whome the same protestant Ormer pict purit l. 1. author writeth in this order They will make as solemne protestations as any men can doe and by oathe deny that vvhich they doe you shall neuer finde vvith any high land or border theeues more lyes and vile periuries then vvith these though they protest and by oathe denie yett sâ—ortely after vvee shall see it come to passe The protestant author of the booke intituled offer of Offer of CoÌ„fer pa. 9 Conference writeth of the parlamentarie protestants shewing therein the reasons of their notorious lying and dissemblinge in Religion in these words some standinge vppon these points of difference not for conscience but for carnall respects some because othervvise they knovve not hovv to bee mayntayned but by depending vppon that faction some to gratifie their benefactors and patrons and to please their frends some for discontentment vvant of preferment some for giddines of innouation some for pride of hart and selfe loue some for hatred of order and restraint of their libertie some for ignorance some to retayne the opinion of constancie And to shewe that by their owne iudgment this prophane hipocrisie dissimulation c is generall in their Religion Couell exaÌ„ pag. 179. Parkes Apol praef D Couell writeth in this maner Atheisme and hipocrisie is in all states in this kingdome M. Parkes hath this Censure heresie and infidelitie ioyne and labour to subuert all grounds of Christian Religion Their late protestant Bishop D. Babington in the publicke Conference at Hampton Conference pag. 14. 15. Coâ—rt sheweth how in the begynning protestancie was approued in their parlament by ambiguous and indirect dealing of the composers of their communion booke and citeth the Archbishop of yorke to that purpose What dealinge was vsed therein may appeare alsoe by soe generall a dislike of protestants against it as is befor proued whervpon D Couell writeth thus The first english Ministers soe farr dissented Couell exaÌ„ pag. 71. that some bookes and the greatest part of Christendome was filled with the â—rreuerent vnholy and vnnaturall Contentions of that time Their behauiour in other Contryes was not vnlike onely I will exemplifie in Scotland of which his maiestie in the Conference at Hampton Court relateth thus M. Knoxe Writes to the Queene Regent K speache in Cofe pa. 80. 81. 82. of whome without slattery I may say shee vvas a vertuous and moderate lady telling her that â—hee vvas supreame heade of the church But hovv longe trovve yee did this continue euen soe longe till by her authoritie the popish Bishops were repressed Hee himselfe and his adherents were brought in and well setled and by these meanes made stronge enough Then loe they began to make small account of her Supreamacie nor would longer rest vpon her authoritie but tooke the cauâ—e into their ovvne hands Hovv they vsed that pore lady my Mother is not vnknowne vvhoe did desire onely a priuate Chappell vvherein to serue God after her maner vvith some fevv selected parsons but her supreamacie vvas not sufficient to obtaine yt at their hands And concerning the same Question of princes supreamacie in England soe enacted by their parlaments to sett them in possession yett that now at this present neither parlamentarie nor puritane protestant in their writings allowe yt but clayme it to themselues I will proue by themselues hereafter And the reason of this their proceedings procedeth from the state of their desolate cause for in the beginninge of this their protestant Religion hauing noe other meanes to giue Colour to a new pretended Ministery then by the temporall princes supreamacie and power in spirituall things all true religeous preeminencie iurisdiction and authoritie being abandoned forth of this nation by their parlaments edicts against the Apostolicke see of Rome and Christs câ—tholicke church they were content against the example of all their pretended reformed churches because they could not settle yt themselues for that present to allowe yt to the temporall Prince But now settled in possession they pretend a Consecration againe from Rome which they had thus renownced before say Confer sup Barl. Serm. sup Cert considerat An. 1605. pag. 46. they are diuinae ordinationis by the ordinance of God where vppon the protestant Author of certaine Considerations doth argue and consider thus if the english protestants opinion bee mayntayned that Bishops iurisdiction is de Iure diuini by the lawe of God his maiestie and all the nobilitie ought to bee subiect to excommunication pag. 54. sup And againe in these wordes protestant Bishops themselues doe not attribute any more spirituall authotitie vnto the kinge to make constitute and ordeyne Canons Constitutions Rites or Ceremonies then they giue vnto him spirituall poâ—er to preache the worde administer the sacramâ—ntt and excommunicate Which as is euident is none at all And yett at this present to omitt others those protestant Bishops of this kingdome which moste sway and not onely in spiriâ—uall things are knowne to bee both by their education and writings of that protestant sect and opinion which before hath told vs that their Bishops and soe consequently themselues are vnlawfull against Gods Worde hell houndes naturall sonnes of sathan false bastardly gouernors enemyes to God to the kinge and to his people euen in their very callinges and offices How these men haue behaued themselues in the Questions betweene Catholicks and them may appeare sufficiently in the first and second generall demonstration where not onely they generall groundes of diuinitie but all particular cheife controuersies of this time are demonstratiuely proued against them by their owne writings published printed or allowed withâ—n the first sixe yeares of his maiesties â—aigne how the puritane protestants haue delt with their Bishops partely appeareth before how their Bishops walke towards them and one to an other is euident in that either condemneth other to bee Scismaticks hereticks inâ—â—dolls Offer of CoÌ„fer pag. 9. damned c. The protestant offer of Conferâ—nce writeth thus It is notorious vnto all the â—orlde what indignities slaunders false accusations and calumniations the prelates and their adâ—erents in their priuate speaches publicke sermons and writings lay vppon the ministers I will cite one example moste conceruinge them bothe CoÌ„fereÌ„ce at Hâ—mpt Couâ—t by D. â—arloâ—e 3. other Copies printed by Wind. 〈◊〉 â—â—fer pag. 28 29 their Conference at Hampton Court before the kinge and Lords Their protestant Bishop of Lincolne D. Barlowe relateth it wholly for their Bishops Three other Copyes printed by Ihon Windeâ— and diuers others relate yt for the puritanes Besides the testimonie of their Bishop D. Montague thus cited by the protetestant offer of Conference It â—â— more then apparant that they haue fraudulâ—ntly cut of and concealed all the speaches which were many tâ—at his maiestie vttered against the
things that which is directly opposite and contrary to their owne Conscience and iudgment in Religion Therefore to proceede in my first intended purpose and proposition I argue in this maner Noe men which by their owne testimonies and writings doe generally dislike or disallowe of the temporall princes supreamacie in spirituall and ecclesiasticall Causes and in straunge and danigerous order can or may in conscience by oathe and swearinge allowe yt But this is the common estate of english protestants by their owne confessions published in writinge Therefore they cannot in conscience sweare to the oathe of supreamacie in temporall princes or allowe yt for true doctrine The maior proposition is euidently true for in soe dyinge they are periured and forsworne and in a matter of highe moment And all periury is damnable And soe noe spirituall communication to bee had with such men in such matters or in things daungerous vnto or against Regalitie or lawfull regiment allowed by the lawe of God and true Religion The minor proposition that protestants in England are in this condition is thus proued by their owne Testimonies The protestant author of the booke named Certaine demaundes writeth in these words The protestant Bishops doe not attributie Cert demaund An 1605. p. 54 any more spirituall authoritie vâ—to the Kinge to make constitute and ordeyne Canons Constitutions Rites or Ceremonies then they giue vnto him spiritual povver to preache the vvorlde adminisâ—er the sacraments and excommunicate But the articles of their Religion confirmed and thus published by his maiestie resolueth this matter in these wordes Wee giue not to our Articles of Relig. ar 37 Prince the ministrings either of Gods vvorde or of the sacraments the vvhich thinge the iniunctions alsoâ— sometime sett forth by Elizabeth our late Queene doe moste plainely testifie Therefore as the Conclusion before is The protestants of England cannot by their owne doctrine without periury sweare to the kings supreamacie Therefore parlamentarie proâ—estants and puritans alsoe holdinge this opinion against the kings supreamacie and yett for preferment or other carnall respects hauing sworne vnto yt are periured and forsworne in a damnable degree And thus by this title the pretended ministery of England is a periured Ministery by their owne writings Againe I argue in this maner whatsoeuer Ministery claymeth their callinge to bee by lawe diuine diuinae ordinationis doe by the doctrine of english protestants deny the kings supreamacie But both the parlament protestants and puritanes thus clayme their callinge of ministery Therefore by their owne doctrine deny the kings supreamacie The maior proposition is proued by the protestant author of the booke named Certaine Considerations in these wordes if the english protestants Cert consider pa. 46. opinion bee mayntayned that Bishops iurisdiction is de iure diuino his maiestie and all the nobilitie ought to bee subiect to excommunication Therefore by this protestant reason the kinge is not supreame for hee that is supreame or superior cannot be excommunicated by the inferior which hath not power ouer the supe-superior much lesse ouer him that is supreame Againe hee that is supreame is subiect to none because not inferior but aboue commaundinge all Yett here the kinge is both named subiect and Censured as an inferior and to that penance and punishment soe greuous that the protestant author of Assertion thus expresseth Assertion An. 1604. pag. 326. it inflicted on princes by their supreamacies Excommunication is terrible to princes and rulers a delyuery of the soule to sathan punishment of the bodie and daunger of goâ—ds Excommunication is soe powerfull as it can constreyne princes and rulers to doe their duties M. Ormerod alsoe remembreth this protestant doctrine Ormer dial 1. in these words princes ought to submitt themselues to the Seniors of the church they ought to be coÌ„teÌ„t to be ruled gouerned punished corrected excoÌ„municated by their discretioÌ„ at their pleasur Then whether these protestaÌ„ts can in coÌ„science sweare to the kings supreamacie as they haue done or sweare an oathe soe much concerning their Bishops presbitery as the named Oathe of alledgeance coÌ„cerneth the Popes prerogatiue and whether it is more reasonable for any one temporall prince to acknowledge The Bishop of the cheefest Apostolicke See whome all Catholicke princes of Christendome and the church of Christ euer acknowledged for their supreame spirituall pastor and gouernor to bee alsoe vnto him as hee is and euer was to all his progenâ—tors kings and other princes or singularly with soe manifest daunger against scriptures councels fathers histories and all authorities and examples to make himselfe his soule bodie life and goods as before subiect and at the pleasure of his subiects euery pretended Bishop in his dioces and euery Minister of the presbyterie in his parishe or diuision I leaue these for others to conclude onely I add that these protestants by this their claymed superiority ouer princes haue within lesse then fourtie yeares disinherited depriued and spoyled more temporall princes of their lawfull territories and dominions as is proued against them by a Catholicke writer of our nation Then the Pope by any prerogatiue title Moder Answ ca. 8. c. 9. See the protestants there cited or clayme with the consent of kingdomes hath taken vpon him to alter the Regiment of temporall kinges from the first begynning of Christianitie to these dayes But more of this matter hereafter The minor proposition that both the protestant Bishops now and the presbiterie clayme their callings Iure diuino by the law of God and not from the prince is euidently proued before And manifest in probation of the first proposition For the lawes of this land and wee admitt noe others are soe far from making it the office and power of any Bishop presbiterie parson or societie whatsoeuer â—o excommunicate their prince delyuer his soule to Sathan punish his bodie on daunger his goods constreyne rule gouerne correct and punish him at their discretion and pleasure as their owne words before bee that the very conspiring or consenting vnto such things is a state of high Treason and greatest offence to lawe in this kingedome Therefore they must blasphemousely clayme as they doe other things from the lawe oâ— God noe other in force here as before Then I may say with their owne protestant writer in these words The kinges supreamacie is fallen Certaine coÌ„sideratioÌ„s An. 1605. pag. 47. downe and ouerthrowne in the moste daungerous degree by the english protestant proceedings And this might suffice for this purpose demonstratiuely prouing what I promised But I argue further in this maner Whoeseuer doe not onely say that the protestant Bishops or presbiterie haue the supreamacie in spirituall things and kings haue nothing therein to deale but must submitt their scepters and Crowns lose their Royaltie cease to bee kings not to bee obeyed to bee deposed vnthroned bereaued of all power and principalitie c. as the protestant ministery shall please or denownce
may not bee communicated with in Religion either by the lawe of God or of this kingedome But the english protestant doctrine is such by their owne writings Therefore not to bee communicated withall in Religion The maior proposition is soe euidently true that it is manifest spirituall treason heresie and Rebellion to God and ciuill Treason in moste highe degree against our kinge by the lawes of this nation to deny yt And the minor proposition is thus proued by these protestants one protestant writeth thus Câ—rtaine demauÌ„ An. 1605. p. 42. Couell exaÌ„ â—ag 12. To establish the commaund of the ciuill magistrate the squar and plumet of subiects conscience is to wrest the scriptures and a Tyranny D. Couell recordeth their opinion thus First fruites tenthes subsedies contributions of ecclesiasticall parsons to the prince are sacriledge and Robbery D. Willet writeth in this maner Princes arâ— not to Willâ—t Antil pa. 151. Assertion An. 1604. Ormer pict purit epist dedic dial 1. bee obeyed in all ecclesiasticall lawes An other writeth thus The temporall prince neuer had any spirituall power in this kingedome M. Ormered setteth downe their doctrine in these words Christian Soueraignes ought not to bee called heads vnder Christ of the particular and visible churches within their dominions princes ought not to meddle with the making of lawes orders and Ceremoâ—ies for the church As the ministers Ormerod supr d. 4. meddle not with makinge of ciuill lawes and lawes for the common wealthe sâ—â— the ciuill Magistrate hath not to ordeyne Ceremonies pertayninge to the churche Noe ciuill Magistrates in Councells dialog 1. or assemblers for church matters can either bee cheife moderator ouer Ruler iudge or determiner To bee breife in this matter D. Morton perceauing that deniall of the princes supreamacie MortoÌ„ coÌ„f of the pop auth par 3 p. 25. p. 26. was proued to bee the doctrine of their Bishop Bilson D. Fulke D. Whitaker D. Sutcliffe D. Couell D. Downame D. Willet M. Hooker M. Bell and others cheife writers amonge them denyeth it not eyther for them or himselfe but referreth the matter to S. Leo Pope of Rome who as hee was one of the moste learned godly fathers that euer were soe hee is knowne and acknowledged by protestants to bee the greatest patrone of the Popes supreamacie that was in that primatiue and learned age and taught as M. Ormerod telleth vs that God did assist direct that See in decrees And yett neither kinge Ormer pict pap pa. 44. nor Pope must bee supreame heade when it pleaseth them But either their Bishops or presbitery M Ormerod thus relateth their opinion Ormerod dial 2. To these three ioinily that is the ministers Senion and deacons is the whole regiment of the church to bee committed And how far this Regiment by them extendeth is before expressed euen to punish and depose princes and M. Ormerod further recompteth in these words Princes must remember to subiect themselues to the churche to Ormerod dial 1. submitt their scepters to throwe downe their Crownes before the churche yea to licke the dust of the feete of the churche And these soe well agreing protestants are or were soe far from swearinge to the supreamacie of a Temporall prince that in Scotland as they themselues wittnesse they caused our Soueraige kinge Iames to sweare to their supreamacie The words of the protestant defendor of the ministers Reasons are these The Kings maiestie hath not Defence of the minist reas pag. 3. Suruey of the Booke of common prayer p. 23 onely subscribed but sworne to the discipline An other protestant writer hath these words is it not generally knowne that his maiestie hath by subscription sworne to mayntayne the discipline in Scotland in these words To the vvhich vvee ioyne ourselues vvillingly in doctrine faith Religion discipline and vse of the holy sacraments as a liuely member of the same promisingâ— and swearinge by the greate name of our Lord that wee shall defend the same accordinge to our vocation and power all the dayes of our life vnder the payne conteyned in the lawe and daunger bothe of bodie and soule in the day of Gods fearefull iudgment And yett his maiestie hath told vs before that these men to obtayne their purpose first gaue supreamacie to the Queene there But their purpose now obtayned the Kinge himselfe by their Relation subscribeth sweareth to their supreamacie as a subiect to them as his Superiors What moste horrible and odious positions about depriuinge deposing killinge and murtheringe of princes not sutinge to their humors in Religion not without horror to bee named are recorded by their brother Whittingham Wittingh pref to Goodni booke deane of durrhame and affirmed to bee approued by the best learned at Geneua Caluine Whittingham Goodman Gilby Couerdale one of their pretended Bishops from whome D. Sutcliffe befor claymeth their ministery Whiteheade english protestants and others and to bee seene in they suruey of holy discipline attributed to their late protestant Archbishop of Canterbury Suruey of of Hol. discipl D. Bancroft which I breefely remember here though befor the time of my syxe limited yeares Because the protestant Authors of the offer of conference speaking in the name of all their protestant profession call those positions the doctrine of the worthiest protestants and thus Offer of CoÌ„fer p. 18. 19 affirme they consent in iudgment with those parsons and churches and together with other churches hold the foresaid positions And Doctor Couell will secure mee in this poynt that I doe Couell exaÌ„ pag 35. 36. not exceede my limitts his wordes bee these That it is lawfull to kill wicked kings waâ— the doctrine of the best and moste learned about Geneua and those partes Neither neede wee to seeke these obedient doctrines at Geneua where they depriued their temporall prince or in Scotland deposinge their lawfull Queene and Princesse England it selfe will yeeld vs too much choice of these doctrines M. Ormerod doth thus relate them what Kinge Prynce or Emperour shall disanull Ormer pict purit epist. ded c. 2. supr d. 3. the discipline hee is to bee reputed Gods enemy and to bee held vnworthie to raigne aboue his people And more plainely of all princes in generall in these words Kinges and princes are naturally enemyes to the libertie of the ghospell and can neuer patiently heare the yeoke of Christ. The sup â— 1. gouernment of the common wealthe must bee framed accordinge to the gouernment of the churche where there must bee equalitie and paritie Whervppon their Bishop Barlowe thus relateth the speach of his maiestie in their publicke Conference The presbytery aswell agreeth vvith a monarchie as God and the deuill lacke and Tom and Conference at Hampt Court p. 79 Will and Dicke vvill Censure the Kinge and all their proceedings at their pleasure in Scotlande he vvas a kinge vvithout state vvithout honour vvithout order vvhere beardelesse boyes
vvould braue him to his face And in open parlament pa. 4. sup his maiesties wordes bee these The sect of puritanes is vnable to bee suffered in any vvell gouerned K. speache in parlam 19. Mart. An. 1603. commonvvealthe Then the parlamentarie protestants agreing with them as they haue absolutely tolde vs in all essentiall things such as these bee must needs bee as guiltie in these Crimes And the rather because their protestant Brethren that were Authors of the offer Offer of CoÌ„fâ—r p. 35. of Conference write in these wordes The ministers doe much more aduaunce the Roall dignitie then the prelates doe Then if the protestant Bishops with their ministers doe more disallowe the Royall dignitie then the puritans which as before doe vtterly ouerthrowe and take yt away they must needs deny all Royall dignitie and Regalitie especially if they will retayne the name of protestants for the same protestants haue further written that those positions soe contrarie to the princely and Regall state were the doctrine of the vvorthiest protestants And to Offer supr pag. 18. 19 shew that these parlament protestants and some in credite amonge them will bee of the same opinion with these worthiest protestants D. Morton confirmeth the manifest treasons Rebellion of his fellow protestants in seekinge Morton Replic part 2. pag. 100 101 against the statutes of this kingedome and the last will and testament of K. Henry 8. not onely to disable the Regiment of Queene Mary and Elizabeth but to ouerthrowe the inheritance and right of his maiestie to be lawfull Actions To iustifie the Rebellion of his protestant Bishops Cranmer and Ridley hee writeteth thus Morton sâ—â— pag. 110. whereof can you accuse Cranmar Ridley and all protestants for takinge Armes against Queene Mary from whence I conclude if they were to bee accused of nothinge as euill Then because non datur actus indifferens in indiuiduo noâ— Act in particular is indifferent but good or bad their Act not to bee accused for euill by Doctor Morton must needs bee good And soe to make Rebellion against a lawfull prynce is not onely lawfull but vertuous and commendable by his diuinitie That euery of their pretended Bishops and presbiteries must iudge in causes of princes 〈◊〉 proued by them before Yett hee approueth these protestant propositions when a kinge commaundeth against God hee vsurpeth pag. 116. Gods throne and herein hee loseth his Royaltie which is to bee obeyed Terrene princes bereaue themselues of power when they arise against God yea are vnworthie to bee accompted in the nomber of men Therefore wee must rather spitt on their heades then obey them Hee mayntayneth Caluins pag. 119. expellinge the lawfull prince of Geneua and these propositions of Luther protestantâ— hands must bee embrued with blood and that bee pag. 120. had warrant from God to battailâ— against Prynces The positions of Tyndall were soe impious that I finde them not printed in Fore his monuments of the laste editions yett D. Wâ—llet auoweth them for lawfull doctrine Wherein these bee conteyned Euery man is Lorde of other mens goods The children of faith are vnder noâ— Willet Anti pag. 203 lawe Syn cannot condemne vs. Hee that desireth more may reade M. Foxe in the first edition Hee alsoe compareth the rebelleous death of pag. 178. up Zwinglius to the death of good Iosias D. Feild speakinge of that greate protestant Rebellion writeth thus That Zvvingliuâ— dying in the Feild vvith his contryâ—en in defence of their Religion iâ— Fild l. 3. pag. 188. an excellent proofe and demonstration of the christian magnanimitie and resolution that rested in him Then if it is not onely a lawfull act but an excellent Demonstration of the greaâ—e heroicall vertue Christian magnanimitie That princes are not to bee obeyed but spitt vppon if they differ in Religion that protestant hands must bee â—mbrued with blood in such affaires euery man is Lord of others goods Protestants doe well in dâ—posinge or expellings princes â—â— these parlament protestants teach vs I may iustely conclude The opinions of them bothe bee moste damnable Owen l. pil and her pa 46 47. 48. 49 50. 51. 52. 53. in this poynt And therefore they are not to bee communicated with in such Religion To these M. Dauid Owen addeth the rebellious both doctrine and practize of these primâ— proâ—â—stants The Citizens of Geneua Ihon Guluyâ—â— Christopher Goodman Knoxe Tâ—eodore Beza the outlandish churâ—hes in London Iunius Eusebius Philadelphus Danaeus George Buchanan Thomas Cartwright Hermanus Renegerus Robert Rolloâ—ke William Buchanan and others their very names are too tedious to bee recited their treasonable positions and practices able to furnish a whole volume and not to bee conteyned in this brouiate what their agreement is in this poynt will appeare by the very title of the 9. chapter of his booke in these wordes The ninth chapter sheweth the generall Consent of the moderne puritanes touching Owen supr cap 9. pag. 46 the coertion deposition and killinge of kinges whome they call Tyrants Therefore â—seing this killing doctrine is the generall doctrine of them that agree with protestants in all essentiall things protestants alsoe must hold them and wee may not communicate with such men in such things bothe for this and soe many euident demonstrations of the like nature before from their owne published and publickly printed or allowed writings and proceedings in Religeous busines Many others that might be added in this matter I Willingly passe ouer as little needfull where soe many and manifest condemnations of these protestants both Religion and persecution haue passed from their owne pens pulpitts parlaments consistories and sentences against themselues to their euerlastinge shame and confusion Which I would alsoe haue passed ouer among other sufferrings with sylence had not their manifold and late barbarous dealings especially of some in their foe termed ministery and their depenâ—â—nts and confederates enforced mee to this maner of confutation That which remayneth God of his infinite mercie blesse preserue and prosper his Maiestie Queene and Children together with the nobilitie and this kingedome with all spirituall and temporall blessings and graces and conuert all that bee in error to his holy truthe An soe I make an end FINIS The faults escaped in printing I pray thee gentle reader of thy Curtesy to Correct them
admitt for the greatest reason of satisfaction For if it bee held an excellent point of phisicke ex vipera theriacâ—m to turne poâ—son into an Antidote against poyson and in God accompted an highe degree of vengeance to turne the Egyptians against the Egyptians and in Dauid celebrated as a principall matter of triumphe to cutt of Goliah his heade with his owne sworde and in Christ obserued as an vnansweareable matter of conuiction to iudge the euill seruant by his owne mouthe and acknowledged in S. Paule as the moste expedite meanes of confutation of the men of Crete to oppose against them their owne c. And yett to giue them more aduantage I wil demonstrate onelie by those english writers and proceedings of their protestant Religion which haue beene printed published or allowed amonge them synce his maiesties cominge into England and principallié within the first sixe or seuen yeares thereof that english Catholicks soe greuously punished for refusinge to communicate with their contrie protestants in sacraments seruice sermons or exercises of their Religion cannot doe yt by their owne Iudgments nor they exact yt without moste greuous deadelie and damnable syn And because I freelie acknowledge myselfe a preist of the Romane church and offer to defend or proue against all protestants or other Enemies the moste honorable dignitie of that sacred function And your proceedings propose oathes to trie the loialtie of english preists and Catholicks knowinge that wee will rather suffer deathe and all miseries as wee haue done then to sweare any the leaste things which wee thinke vntrue Beinge now come to my decaying time tree and fistie yeares of age doe take and leaue behinde mee as a memoriall of my Innocencie this ensuing oathe and desire it bee named An oathe of a Catholicke preist his true alleadgeancie to kinge and contrye Humblie submittinge my Iudgment in all religeous doctrine with all true ChristiaÌ„s to our mother church of Rome a Rule Kings spâ—acâ— in hâ—â—â— parlament to all both in doctrine and ceremonies as his maiesties publicke censure is I protest in verbo veritatis takinge God and the whole Court of heauen to wittnes that I neuer committed in deed word or consent any treason or conspiracie either against our kinge Iames his maiestie whose moste dutifull and obedient subiect in all ciuill obedience I humblye acknowledge myselfe and soe entreate to bee accepted of him or against Queene Elizabeth his predecessor or any forreyne prince in whose dominion I haue lyued And I call againe God and the Court of heauen to wittnes that I neuer committed against this kingdome of England my dearest contry or anyother state or prouince where I haue lyued or my parson in them lyuing or deceased murther theft Rapine violence vsury oppression enchaâ—nâ—mâ—nt sorcerye fornication addultery or other carnaâ—l act with any creature periurye false testimoniâ— gluttonie drunkennes or any greate or scandelous sinne to my knowledge disgracefâ—lly punishable by the lawes of England of which â— haue beene a student and by the grace of God giuen in my holy Religion I hope intend and purpose soe to perseuer all my life Soe helpe me God and his holy Saincts You see how confidentlie I haue sworne such an oathe of fidelitie and Innocencie from offence concerninge temporall Regiment or dutie of a subiect to his soueraigne as I stand in doubt whether any of your pretended Cleaâ—gie protestant will second mee therein or noe And yett there is noe matter against your Religion conteyned in yt as your soe named newe oathe of alleadgeance comprehendeth against the Pope and church of Rome as they haue censured to whome soe greate respect as before is due by your owne doctors sentences But I am out of all doubt that manie reuerende and learned preists of this kingdome will in Innocencie add to that which I haue begun And all the rest of that consecrated companie still sufferringe for that most glorious and holy cause will bee able to performe as much in that kinde as any temporall Soueraigne can in conscience exact of a spirituall and cleargie man and more then your best and moste selected Bishops or Ministers will assume to doe For matters of Religion this treatise will bee our warrant that wee must continue our vnitie with our Mother church of Rome and not with those whoe by their owne Iudgments and testimonies are Hereticks Scismaticks damnably seducers and seduced and such as by manie other titles by their owne conclusions are men not to bee communicated with in busines of Religion except men would willfullie incurre damnation Such as your moste allowed doctors writters are most manifestlie proued in this worke by their owne writings Therfore I craue pardon that the harshenes or distastfull euidence of thes protestant demonstrations bee not imputed vnto mee but to your owne protestant and puritane doctors Authors and publishers of them to the worlde for by their authorities and in their name I am to dispute proceede in euerie Argument and conuiction And because I desire to bringe securitie to all Readers that noe english protestant or puritane can by their owne Religion take iust exception against the weakest Conclusion of this booke I haue not handled any matters in yt but such as by their owne agreement ar essentiall materiall and fundamentall in Religion For how soeuer otherwise they disagree and ar not easelie to bee distinguished yett in thes soe necessarie and vnseperable things of true Religion as they tell vs they all agree D. Georg. Abb. ag Hill pag. 101. 102. 94. 106. 236. 237. 347. Doue persuas pag. 32. Morton full satisf pag. 18. The words of your present Archbishop of Canterbury ar thes protestants puritanes did neuer differ in any point of substance in substantiall points of faithe there is noe variance amonge vs. And this hee affirmeth seuen times at the leaste in one booke The protestant Bishop of Peterborough writeth thus in maâ—ters of Religion wee all agree D. Morton D. Sutcliffe D. Willet Wotton Middleton Powell the Sutel ag kâ—ll pag. 42 Willet Antib pag. 15 WottoÌ„ def of Perk pag 28. Middl pag 201. Povvel ag ap ep pag. 48. 45. Abrâ—dg Edw. holy knight pag. 103. of his 〈◊〉 Puritanes in their Abridgment with others too manie to bee cited are of the same opinion And it is soe generallie allowed amonge them that they tell vs non but such as they terme Papists Goliathes vncircumcised Philistines lyers and will affirme the contrarie Your circumcised knight as hee will bee named writeth thus our formalists and Presbyterians how soeuer they bee somewhat different in habite yett are they vnited in harte readie at all times to Ioyne in battell against any vncircumcised Philistine that dares contest against the vniformitie of their Rogers pref to the booke of articles faith Your publick glosser vppon your approued articles writeth in this maner The verie brethren themselues doe write that in regard of the common groundes of Religion and the
ministery wee are all one wee are all of one faithe VVee are ministers of the worde by one order wee preache one faith and substance of doctrine Then which nothing was euer more truly said or written Willet Antilog pag. 15. 20. Your greate Controuertist D. Willet writeth thus amonge protestants of â—ngland there is noe difference or dissâ—nt in any substantiall point of faith As for puritans and Caluinio-papists they are termes of papists deuisinge D. Georgâ— Abb. sup pa. 90. 106. 236. 237. Povvell sup pag. 48. 52 Your present protestant Archbishop of Canterbury is soe confident herein that hee vseth thes wordes Noe Goliath against vs can proue the contrary D. Powell with publicke approbation hath thes wordes Noe reformer euer distinguished betweene protestants and them of the reformed church The puritans doe not affirme the diuision betweene protestants and them to bee in substantiall points non but papists affirme that protestants and puritans differ in substantiall points of faith and hee lyeth which saith they differ in substantiall poyntes Like are the testimonies of others But thes are fullie sufficient in this place Therefore seeing I am to alleadge onelie causes and reasons essentiall and substantiall in Religion from thes your english protestant Bishops and doctors why their countrie Catholicks may not by their owne doctrines and proceedings communicate with them in matters of Religion It is euident that noe english protestant or puritane may or in conscience ought to denie any such authoritie to bee cited in this treatise or any conclusion truelie and scientificallie deduced from such their allowed principles for in soe doeinge by their generall graunt before hee should become a papist and a recusant to communicate with protestants or a blasphemous Goliah vncircumcised philistine or a lyer by their owne censure and Iudgment which would bee new and vrgent causes to auoide all spirituall communion with such men Wherevppon presuminge that noe aduersarie will soe muche disable my studyes in diuinitie and artes subordinate vnto yt But that I am able from graunted and allowed principles to deduce necessarie and vndemiable Conclusions I therefore doe confidentlie name this worke A booke of english protestants Demonstrations for English Catholicks recusancie Because the moste iust causes of Catholicks refusall to communicate with protestanâ—s in Religion are euidentlie proued by those protestants them selues in this Treatise And soe in all obedient and humble manner I take my leaue I rest and hope to continue for euer in all dutifull and beseeminge obedience and loue to our moste blessed Sauiour his Holie church and Religion his maiestie my dearest countrie and your Lordships the moste honorable portion thereof as I haue before professed and obliged myselfe by attestation and bonde vnuiolable PROTESTANTS DEMONSTRATIONS FOR CATHOLICKS RECVSANCIE The first particular protestant Demonstration why english Catholicks may not communicate in spirituall thinges with protestants is because by their owne testimonies yt would bee an act and offence vnreasonable irreligious and damnable THAT it is not lawfull for any Catholicke or member of the Romane church to communicate in Religion and spirituall thinges with the protestants of England I demonstrate by their owne testimonies And first argue thus Noe professors of Religion may lawfully and with securitie forsake that church and communion in which by the testimonie of aduersaries themselues there is saluation and many haue beene by that profession glorious Saints to communicate with a new Religion whereof there is noe such hope or certaine expectation But the state of Catholicks by communicating wâ—th protestants and forsakinge vnion with the church of Rome should bee in this â—erplexitie euen by thes protestants confession Therefore they may not in conscience forsake communion with the Romane church to ioyne with thes protestants in such busines The fiâ—st proposition is euidently true for good thinges and certaine may not bee left and forsaken for thingeâ— either euill or vncertainely good And that men may not communicate in a straunge Religion is confirmed by D. Couell and M. Hull prouinge yt by many Couell exaÌ„ â—a 200. 201 Hul. Rom. â—ol p. 30. 31 32. 33. 34. Sutcliff exaÌ„ of petit pa. 10. 11. Povvel ref â—pist apoloâ—â—tic pag. â—5 23. 26. 27. 100. 114 112. 113. c. Feild pa. 27 pag. 182. examples and testimonies of scriptures and antiquitie Tâ—at wee may not communiâ—ate â—ith men of a diuers Religion D. Sutcliffe telleth vs that such communion is reproued by the authoritie both of the fathers of the church and of aunâ—iâ—nt Christian Empâ—rors The like hee testifieth of Holy scriptures M. Powell is plentifull in this matters and not needfull to bee cited noâ— man of learninge and conscience affirminge communion in a false or contrary Religion to bee lawfull The minor proposition of certaintie of saluation in the Roman church is thus confirmed by thes protestants D. Feilds wordes bee thes the Romane and laâ—ine church continued the true church of God euen till our tyme and againe in this maner Wee doubt not but the church of Râ—me in which the Bishop thereof exaltâ—d himselfe was not withstandingâ— the true câ—urch of God that is helâ— a sauing profession of the truthe in Christ and by force thereof conuerted many contryes from error to truthe D. Couell writeth thus in the name of them all Protestants Couell def of hooke pa. 68. doe gladly acknowledge them of the Romane church to bee tâ—â— family of â—hesus Christ they of Rome Were still are in the church it â—â— straunge for any man to deny them of Rome to bee of the church Wee affirme them of the Romane church Couell supr pag 73. 76. to bee partes of the church of Christ and that those that lyue and dye in that church may bee saued Yett both hee and D. Feild giue this sentence Couell sup pag. 76. Feild p. 69. Feild pag. 182. there iâ— noe saluation remission of synnes or hope of eternall life out of the church D. Feild further telleth vs that diuers of the Romane church euen of the best learned that coulde not pleade Ignorance bee saued and Saints in heauen Their Bishop Barlowe hath written how greate difficultie it is for princes to bee saued Barl. ag a name lâ—sse Cathol Willet An. pag. 144. Speede Theat of greate Britan yett D. Willet writeth thus it is not denyed by any protestant but many renowned kinges and Queenes of the Romane faithe are Saincts in heauen The names of our moste holy kinges and Queenes of England which M. Speede in his late Theater of greate Britanie relateth to haue forsaken their Crownes and kingdomes to become pore Monkes Nunnes in that church and Religion and to bee chronicled for all posterities to haue beene moste holy one â—arthe and now glorious Saints in heauen are too many to bee recited Therefore seing thes protestants assure vs that the church of Rome is the true church of Christ they that liue and dye in yt come to heauen and many