many others which I haue before in the ninth Chapter shewed not to be ancient and consequently hereticall because they are new and aftercome into the Church 7 Againe The corrupt and rotten fruits of Romish doctrine when I considered further the second way to iudge of false prophets by the Church of Rome as Stapleton teacheth by the proper fruits of their doctrine I found also by this way the fruits of Romane teachers to be most corrupt and rotten issuing forth of their doctrine for what proceedeth from their dogmaticall teaching the lawfulnesse of the Stewes tolleration but too vnrefrained a licence and liberty of sinning to all that are loosely affected What greater incentiue to sin can there be for lasciuious persons then assurance of place and persons where conueniencie and consent may assuredly bee expected Or what greater occasion to yong persons prodigally to spend their temporall substance and ruine their soules then grant of such open passage to si◠What can more encourage poore minds to be dishonest then permission to get themselues liuings by dishonestie As also what can more demonstrate the Popes couetousnes and insatiable auarice then the permission of such offenders paying yearely tribute vnto him for the free exercise of all filthie abominations Againe what proceedeth from the prohibition of Priests marriage but infinite and almost innumerable sinnes against nature as bestialitie Sodomie vnnaturall euacuations Incest adulterie fornication sacriledges and a thousand other abominations which abound in the present Church of Rome whilest that lawfull wedlocke and honorable bed which Saint Paul calleth vndefiled may not be permitted nor commended without imputation of incontinencie sacrilege and filthy pollution which is truely the doctrine of Diuells as Saint Paul termeth it I omit to speake how many virgins haue beene defloured how many matrons dishonoured how many monastcries peruerted how many good husbands wronged how many widdowes abused how many wilfull abortments how many slaughters of children and other foule abominations committed by vnmarried Priests therefore though chastitie and single life are both highly commendable and profitable to him that hath the gift to liue so yet the restraint thereof hath more disgraced the Church of God then almost any one point whatsoeuer making euen sacred things to appeare to the world deformed and full of such blemishes as wil neuer be taken away I haue obserued further also that the doctrine of pardons for the release of temporall paines due to finnes either in this life or in Purgatory annexed vnto graines meddals crosses rings and the like paltry things which is a doctrine most currant in the Church of Rome doth serue for the root offpring of much couetousnes and auarice of much losse of time vnprofitably of simony in selling Masses which are counted sacred things for money of neglecting to pray for the liuing while so many dirges masses funerals trentals and Aniuersaries are said for the dead without fruit or profit nay how farre did Pope Gregorie Lipeloo in vita Greg. Mag. stiled the Great proceed in the vanitie of this doctrine whilest he praied not for deceased Christians only but for a damned Pagan who as it is fabulously writtē in his life and hath passed currant these many hundred years deliuered the soule of Traian the Emperour out of hell fire by his praiers which hath hitherto beene obtruded vnto the Christian world for an especial fauor shewed by God vnto that Pope which shall neuer be shewed vnto any other Be not these goodly illusions of the world most abominable abuses of religion growne vp in the Church of Rome enameled with zealous and charitable pretences whilest such tales must set forth this Popes worth and be beleeued and the holy Scriptures teaching no remission after this life must not be of any credit at all I haue noted many euil branches to rise out also frō another root of their doctrine which cōfisteth in teaching men to pray to Saints how much Gods glory thereby is takē from him is apparent to any man of experience trauel who hath seen obserued how much the outward solemnities of Saints daies do excell the solemnities of Sundaies which are the feasts of the Son of God that hath obserued many more Churches dedicated to thē then to God himself that hath noted the ordinary common praier of lay-men to be called our Ladies office whilest they haue none at all made in honor of the holy Trinity or of the Father or the Son only a short one they haue in honor of the holy ghost another of the crosse yet not free from superstition idolatry whilst they pray Officium sanctae crucis ad Mat. By the signe of the cresse to be deliuered from their enemies whilest they attribute the victory Christ got vpon the crosse to the crosse it self saying O victory of the crosse and admirable signe cause vs to hold our triumph in the heauenly court Againe Antipho By a tree we were made bond-mē by the holy crosse we are set free The fruit of the tree seduced vs the Sonne of God redeemed vs. And againe O blessed crosse c. sweet wood sweet nailes c. Antipho ad noc Againe O venerable crosse which hast brought saluation to wretches by what praise shall I extoll thee for that thou hast prepared vnto vs thy heauenly life Againe speaking to Christ By thy holy crosse thou hast redeemed the world c. Al which in my iudgement seemed very derogatory to Gods glory as tēding to a diuine worship of the creature for the Son of God And thus in their excessiue deuotions to Saints and creatures they haue little feeling or vnderstanding of the true loue and deuotion they should feele and shew to their Creator 8 When moreouer I consider how the Church of Rome freeth the Clergie from true obedience to temporall Princes Other instāces of the corrupt fruits of Romish doctrine by their immunity it pretēdeth they enioy euen by Gods law and great priuiledges freeing frō ciuil courts gouernment I find here an open gap made to al busie heads tumultuous spirits to say thinke do what they list against the sacred authority of Kings and Princes confirmed by God himselfe But withal when I adde the doctrine now so much taught in the Church of Rome by her false prophets viz. that the Pope hath power and ecclesiasticall authoritie from God for the good of the Church to depose Emperours Kings and Princes from their regal dignities kingdomes in the execution whereof the Pope himselfe as the head of Christianity wil be the chiefe iudge commander in his owne cause I find al the wals defences of security for Kings shaken to the ground and doores let open to the wicked intentions designmēts of factious spirits to plot against Kings and to subuert kingdomes with liberty of conscience free from all scruple or remorse Hence and from no other spring ariseth so much contempt in the
Roman clergy of Kings that they care not how vnreuerently they speake against them their Magistrates and officers and others as they list some will not stick to say that Priests are not subiects to Kings nor are bound to giue answere truly to the temporall Magistrates or Bishops here in England further then they please Others will make no scruple to say that they may lawfully without sin if they can free themselues from being apprehended resist yea and kill his Pursuiuants in defence of themselues though others approuing also the same doctrine more milde and moderate will say it is better and a greater act of perfection to let themselues bee apprehended then so to resist as also because it may proue scandalous but in conclusion all hold it lawfull and all teach it and their ground is naturale est vim vi repellere it is a natural thing to repel force by force as also because no temporall or ciuill authoritie is sufficiently valued against the Priests of the Romane Church I will not relate what libertie the Romane doctrine against Princes giueth to sawcie subiects to speak what they list and to report such things against our late deceased Queene and his Maiestie now raining as are odious euen vnto mens minds to thinke of my hart trembles to remēber what horrible crimes I haue heard them charged with and no modest Christian would euer open his mouth or giue eare vnto them the disgust that such speeches haue giuen me is farre greater then I can expresse because all the world knowes them to be most hatefull lies and calumniations which only could be suggested by the diuell who is father of all lies and vntruthes and master of such Heretikes as the Apostle Iudas describeth Epist. Judae vers 8. dominationē spernunt despise power but no maruaile if men yeeld to such suggestiōs of the diuel since experiēce teacheth that this doctrine of the Popes supereminent power hath stirred many not only to speake but also to attempt diuers trecherous and rebellious enterprises against the late Queene deceased and much more horrible against his Maiesty al his roial Progeny without all mercy either to friend or foe as the discouerie of the powder treason plotted and designed by diuers giddy and inconsiderat heads associated with some of the society of Iesus hath of late made manifest to the world nay which is more odious such as are as they thinke themselues religiously affected to the society of Iesus Ioan. Wilson in mart Anglica haue not sticked to make some of the abetters of that hateful cōspiracy martyrs of the Roman Church as namely Garnet Ouldcorne wheras it is wel knowne as the right Honorable the Earle of Northhampton sheweth My Lord of Northhampton in his speech to Garnet Garnet was not called to the barre for any matter of conscience as some perhaps may publish out of rancor or peruersity of hart to set a faire glosse vpō the groūd of his professiō proueth it many waies by diuers presidents of fauor and therfore wel might he say to Garnet as he did foreseeing how his fellowes would be ready to canonize him In the same speech S. Augustine speaketh of some hot-headed fellowes in his time that not withstāding their life led in this world more latronū like theeues yet in their ends affected cultum honorem martyrum the seruice and honor of martyrs among whom I shall euer rancke with iust cause these powder-men But this proceedeth as many other actions of disalleagiāce do frō no other groūd then frō that noted doctrine of the Popes illimited power trāscendent authority in ciuil matters ouer Kings which he challengeth when Card. Bellar in his book against D. Barkley Note this in Bell. goeth so farre that contrary to his former doctrine he teacheth now that the Apostles were not subiect to ciuil power de iure but de facto Wherby we may see in time into what a gulfe and ocean of errors the doctrine of Rome if it be not prudētly preuented wil drowne the world in which principally carieth the clergy vpon a higher waue of pride then any in so much that the L. of Northamp out of the multiplicity of his reading In his speech to Garnet most prudētly noteth that by the course recourse of times accidents wise men obserue that very seldome hath any mischieuous attempt been vndertaken for disturbance of a state without the counsel and assistance of a Priest in the first in the middle or last act of the tragedy and that all along with such a a chorus of confedraes to entertaine the Stage whiles the liues hnd fortunes of great Princes being set vpon the tenter-hookes aue put all in hazard Which obseruation I would wish that all Priests would diligently marke and then doubtlesse they would bee carefull of their owne reputations and be more reuerently affected to higher powers than they are as it gladdeth mee to see some haue beene of late as Master Blackwell Master Warmington in his moderate defence and others whose good examples I heartily wish many more may embrace and follow not doubting but God by such beginnings may draw them so from step to step as perfectly to see and discouer the erroneous doctrines of the Church of Rome as well in other points of doctrine as in that of the Popes pretended authoritie ouer Princes in temporalls as he hath drawne lately master Sheldon a prisoner for the Roman faith and my selfe though no prisoner as I hope for our soules euerlasting good so also for the future benefit of many others and the fuller accomplishments of his more mercifull designements to others thereby who doubtlesse will so doe if we by our ingratitude and forgetfulnesse of so rich a benefite prouoke not his indignation against vs by euill conuersation and bad carriage of our liues as others haue done before vs to the aduantage of those whose communion they forsooke and disgrace of them to whose congregations they were conioyned Which doubtlesse we may doe if beholding the abhominations of the Church of Romes corruptions we consider them rather with a mind to reforme our own faults to draw others from them than to lay any disgracefull imputation vpon others further than to demonstrate the naughtinesse of the tree by the naughtie leaues floures and fruits that grow forth from it which in very truth is the onely cause why I haue so farre entred into this discourse because Christ saith According to Doctour Stapletons rule Ex fructibus eorum cognoscetis cos by their fruits ye shal know them Now therfore since out of the fruits of the Roman doctrine I find the teachers thereof to be such as Christ bids vs beware of I must say Father I haue sinued against heauen and against earth and therfore with humble acknowledgement of my faults desire that I may againe be receiued into his fauor 9 Now it resteth that I make trial of the
they giue testimonie of mee What good will all your sufferings doe you what your dangers what your imprisonments what your temporall wants or abundance what your louing frinds or well affected kindred towards you what I say will all this auaile you if your dectrine bee vnsound euen in point of Faith and what a miserable calamitie is it which you bring your followers vnto who for cleaning to your erroneous doctrines must hazard their temporall estates and fortunes must begger their Families vndoe their Posterities and which is worst must damne their soules for professing the vsurped authoritie and transcendencie of an ambitious Pope and other nouelties through your encouragements Looke well therefore to the cause of your sufferings and doctrines for Christ saith Blessed are they that suffer for iustice sake Math. 5. ver 10. for theirs is the Kingdome of heauen therefore if you suffer for iniustice as for superstition for idolatrie for heresies for disalleageance to God and your Princes as you doe I may truely say that not a Kingdome but the bottomelesse pit of hell will come to your share and lot since you want the garment of truth in doctrine with handes and feete bound you will in the end if you turne not from your wicked waies bee cast into exteriour darkenesse where you shall bee vexed with most hideous howling and gnashing of teeth my desire I haue of your conuersions makes mee to say vnto you Iere. 6. vers 16. State super vias videte Stand yee on the waies and see And to ingeminate the same Counsell State super vias videte Stand yee on the waies and see For the way of the wicked is darkesome Prou. 4. vers 16. Prou. 14. ver 12. they know not where they fall and the Scripture telleth there is a way which seemeth right vnto a man but the issues thereof leade vnto death Out of which it hath pleased the goodnesse of God so to draw mee that I may say his holy Spirit hath brought mee into the right Land Psal 142. ver 11 and to such a right way of truth to walke in wherein I finde more comfort than euer I did in my whole life before in the Pâ—pacie by the Seruice and Sacraments of the Church of England so that for my perseuerance therein from my heart I pray to God with King Dauid O God hold vp my steppes in thy paths Psal 17. v. 5. that my footsteps slip not 4. Now it is most behoofefull also that I speake vnto you all Recusants falsely styling your selues Catholikes An aduise to all Romish Catholikes that as I heartily loue your persons and wish well vnto your soules I may giue you good testimonie thereof by admonishing you not to be blindly led by others to the ouerthrow of your states in this world and eternall damnation of your soules in the next desiring you in the tender bowels of Christ Iesus that since God hath made me a spectacle vnto you of his singular mercie not to be so foolishly besotted and ignorantly seduced as not to make your aduantage by my obseruations which doubtlesse God hath helped me in as well for your example and benefit as for the manifestation of his owne goodnesse Be not I beseech you ouer-credulous in easily beleeuing euery thing that vnaduisedly your Teachers shall suggest vnto you but examine their Doctrines according to the rule Doctor Stapleton prescribeth vnto you spoken of in my eleuenth chapter num 3.4.5 that is by considering the fruits of your Teachers and whether the doctrine they teach you be conformable to the doctrine of former times generally receiued and taught in the Primitiue Church beleeue not all they say of the Preachers of the Church of England whom they often most notoriously traduce with most false calumniations as namely I heard an auncient Priest in the Vniuersitie of Louaine some few yeares since report of the death of Bishop Iuell Bishop Iuell calumniated affirming that he trauelling here in England was taken with a suddaine sicknesse and so compelled to light in a house where Doctor Harding had vsed sometimes to lodge in and growing worse and worse hee was forced to betake himselfe to a bed where his paines encreasing by the iust iudgement of God because Master Doctor Harding had often layen there before he grew into desperate fits crying out Doctor Harding Doctor Harding and wishing he had neuer set penne to paper against him and so died as a man in despaire in Doctor Hardings bed This was told as a remarkable matter against him for the reproofe of his doctrine and magnifying of Master Harding which I am informed by credible men to be most vntrue and false Therefore I say vnto you againe deere Christians be not ouer-credulous but beware of false Prophets who haue their consciences so seared that they regard not how falsely they speake so they may any way traduce the credit and reputation of their aduersaries amongst you charging both Caluin and Luther and other true Conuertites of Iesus with such things as are not to be named most iniuriously but no maruell when otherwise they cannot defend their cause Againe let me obtaine so much of you as to bee frequent in reading the Word of God which although it haue many difficult things in it yet for so much as belongs to faith and manners necessarie for euery man to know it is easie and facile If you will haue an infallible rule by which you may know the Shepheards which like good sheepe you ought to follow remember that Christ said In hoc cognoscent quod discipuli mei sitis si charitatem habueritis ad inuicem In this men shall knowe that you are my Disciples if you haue charitie one towards the other Now whether you finde this mutuall charitie amongst your or our Clergie either in doctrine or manners I leaue to your owne iudgements to consider And as for my selfe such as haue beene acquainted with me if they will say truly I am sure that my conuersation amongst them hath alwaies since my Priesthood beene such as cannot bee toucht with any kind of disorder my zeale in the blindnesse of that faith as forward as others to the small portion of Talent which God hath bestowed vpon me making me as readie by day and by night to draw men to the Romish faith as any mans either by preaching or other labours with as great sinceritie as possibly might be No man can charge me of mercenarie couetousnesse for making a Monopole of any of you for mine owne profit or the wrong of others hauing alwaies beene as readie to giue as to take carrying in minde that of Saint Hierome saying Epist ad Nouatianum Ignominia est omnium sacerdotum proprijs studere diuitiis It is a reproach of all Priests to studie to enrich themselues Therefore I haue neuer repined that others should gaine the profit of my paines or gather the fruit of my labours Had I