of the Councels have been falsified for the most part And things have been supposed which never were 1. FOr they have been during a long time shut in the Convents And for the most part did passe by the Hands of the Monks who have cut off them and added unto them whatsoever they would 2. And in that Regard the Greeks do complain That the Latins have corrupted and falsified the Councels And the Latins frame the same accusation against the Greeks To whom shall we Hold 3. The Frauds in this Matter are so Auncient That from the sixth Councel of Carthage the Bishops of Romes Legates did produce the Acts of the first Councel of Nice falsisied in an horrible Manner And although that Falsification was even then solemnly Discovered yet Rome which hath Drunk all Shame is often relapsed in the same Crime that was Repreached in full Councel of Florence to the Popes Legates But they were not much astonished thereby 4. The whole Code of the Ecclesiastical Canons hath been not long since set out by one Denis Petit But we find that this Author hath Ecclipsed from the Laodicean Council the Enumeration of the Canonical Books which was to be in the last Canon And it cannot be said that he hath done that for brevity sake For the same Author in the same Code hath inserted the Enumeration made by one Synod of Carthage because without doubt he did like it better then the other 5. And so every one give us that which his passion or affection doth approve And an Indiscreet Zeal doth hide and suppresse from us That which is Best and of greatest Edification It is with Just Causes that the Council of Trent is Rejected and Condemned by the Reformed because it may be rightly called the Iliade of our Age. 1. FOr this Council greatly desired and procured by Good Persons to Reunite the Church which did begin to Devise it self did so bend and harden the Parties that it hath Rendered the Differences Irreconcileable 2. And the said Council negotiated by the Princes to Reform the Ecclesiastical Order hath caused the greatest Deformity which ever was since the Christian Name is in Being 3. Besides the said Council hoped by the Bishops to Recover the Episcopal Authority which in a great part was faln to the alone Pope of Rome hath been the cause that they wholly have lost it Reducing them to a greater Bondage 4. On the contrary the said Council having been feared and shun by the Court of Rome as a powerful Mean to temper the excessive Power which from small beginnings was mounted by degrees to an extremity without bound and limit hath so confirmed and propped to Her over the Party which is remained subject unto Her That is was never so Great nor so well setled Concerning the Council of Trent 1. The Rhetorical Commendations of it by the Jesuites 1. THe Councel of Trent saith a Jesuite The Elder it waxeth By so much more it shall flourish daily And continually 2. O with what Diversitie of People out of all Countries With what Choice of Bishops throughout all Christendom With what Excellence of Kings and Common-weales With what Profound Divines With what Devotion With what Lamentations With what Abstinence and Fasting With what Flowers of Universities With what knowledge of Strange Tongues With what Sharp Wits With what Studie With what Endlesse Reading With what Stores of Virtues And Exercises Was that Sacred Place Replenished 2. The Reformed say That it is without Cause that such Commendations are given to this Council 1. FOr they know very well The Notable Cariage and Behaviour of that Synod so much Extolled by the Jesuite 2. And besides they say That every one knoweth thus much That it was not to be Esteemed a Council of the whole Christian State But rather a Conventicle of few Men Running together into the same Place 3. There was there present a sort of silly Friers which did sustain the greatest part of the Burthen By Disputings Writing And playing the Orators 4. For as for the Bishops and the Chief Cardinals They busied their Heads about other Matters for which They were specially Assembled 5. No more will we say of this Council 6. Others have spoken of it those things that are most True Both how it was Called How Handled And how it was Dismissed 7. Among Them chiefly is considerable Patre Paulo in his Admirable History of the Council of Trent 3. Of the Decrees of the Council of Trent THe Tridentine Decrees which the Jesuites and other Popish Doctors Commend being set forth as They write by so many Excellent godly and Learned men and say That it were Impiety to compare with them All the scattered Synagogues of Lutherans have been Tried and Examined by more Godly and Learned Men then ever were in that Synagogue Assembled wherein prevailed neither Godlinesse nor Learning but Antichristian Tyranny 4. Of the Examen of the Council of Trent by Kemnitius Jesuites Kemnitius saith a Jesuite gained but Infamy by his Examen of the Council of Trent Answer to That by the Reformed 1. IF Kemnitius have not the Jesuites good word it is no great wonder For he hath Atchieved that by his Learning Vertue and Industry that he may seem worthy of Envie and Hatred from such as the Jesuites are 2. But if true and deserved Praise be due to good Deeds he hath obtained an honourable Reward even the everlasting glory of a good Name 5. For what Reasons the Protestants made no great haste to goe to the Council of Trent Jesuites VVHy say the Jesuites did not the Protestants 1. Called to the Synode of Trent And secured by the Caution of publick Promise make all haste to come unto it Answer of the Reformed VVHat should they have done there Or to what end should they have undertaken so long a Journey 1. Either that having been mocked and abused they might have returned home again 2. Or having been burned in the Council the Protestants should have been paid for their Rashnesse 1. For in Regard of the First What place of Disputation was left among those who had every man plighted their faith to the Pope and had Religiously bound themselves by Oath That they would never either do or say any thing against his dignitie and pleasure What therefore might have been hoped for from those which might have drawn any to Disputation 2. And in Regard of the second Did not the Calamitie of John Husse of Bohemia and of Hierome of Prague who were burned in the Council of Constance give just cause of fear And yet Husse came to the Council trusting in the protection of a publick promise Of the Historie of the Councel of Trent Written by Patre Paulo See the Addition Concerning this Question Whether the Pope be above the Councils Or otherwise Jesuites THe Jesuites puts the Pope above the Councils And they alleadge this Reason Because no Council is of any Authoritie which was not Confirmed by the Pope Answer of
the Pope 2. I say 1. That the Papists take all Authority quoad nos from the Scripture which appears in that they teach that it is not the ground or pillar of truth Nor properly and of it self any Cause or Means of Belief or of Charity And that God doth not immediately speak by it Neither is the Holy Ghost joined with the writing of the Scripture And that the Church is not subject to the Scripture And that put case any person living out of the Communion of the Roman Church do read or study the Scripture it is not the word of God to them or of greater Authority then Aesops Fables 3. I have said 2. That the Papists give all Authority to the present Roman Church This appears in that they make it the onely External ground and pillar of Truth The sole Judge of Controversies The principle or first ground and foundation from whence the Scripture in regard of men receiveth all Authority 4. I have said 3. That the Papists give the Churches Authority to the Pope And no Papist in these daies can or will deny This. For 1. the Positive Speeches of their greatest Doctors thereupon manifestly confirms it Ecelesiae nomine saith Gregorius de Valentia intelligimur ejus Caput Romanum Pontisicem Tom. 3. Dist 1. q. 1. part 1. pag 30. And Bannes 9.2 q. 1. Ar. 10. Animadvertendum est cum Cajetano c. quod apud Thomam pro eodem omnino reputatur Authoritas Ecclesiae universalis Authoritas Concilii Et Authoritas Summi Pontisicis 2. The same Assertion followeth upon the main principles of their Doctrine which are That the Pope is the prime subject of Ecclesiastical Authority And that the whole Authority of all the Body and of all the Members thereof is derived by and from him And that the promise of the perpetual Assistance of the Holy Ghost And the Infallible judgement and the Supream Authority And other Priviledges are intailed upon his Tribunal The 2. of those Fraudes is That The Pope also is Taught by the Papists To be the true and Lawful Interpreter of the Sense of the Scriptures And the Supream Judge of Controversies Concerning Faith and Divine Worship 1. IT is most clear that the Jesuites make both the Scripture it self and the Interpretation of it to Depend upon the Authority of the Church 2. And the Church they call not the whole Multitude of Christians and Faithful Men 3. But they Restrain both the Name and the Nature of the Church 1. unto their Bishops 2. If Thereupon we Reformed object That their Bishops may Differ touching the Sense of the Scriptures so shall we be uncertain and shall not resolve which of them to Believe but they help this and Answer That General Councils must Decide and Determine all Questions and Controversies 3. Shall we then Rest in them No more then in then the other For the Pope must be Judge over the Councils 4. So in the Conclusion The whole Interpretation of Holy Scriptures is transferred to the Pope and must be fetched out of his Breast yea and as a proper Right he so challengeth the Power of Interpreting of the Scripture That whatsoever he thinketh That must be accounted the Sense and Meaning of them Refutation of this Doctrine of the Jesuits by the Reformed Doctors 1. THat which hath been said above is the Jesuites constant and perpetual property and disposition in interpreting the Scriptures 2. Which is full of Dotage Error and Falsehood void of Advise Knowledge and Wisdome 3. For what an Absurd and horrible Thing is it that the Sense and Meaning of the Holy Scripture should depend upon one mans Judgement and Voice 4. Specially being such a one as commonly the Bishops of Rome have been Unlearned Wicked Heretical 5. And hence have proceeded all the following goodly Interpretations 1. Take Eate That is you Priests say Private Masses 2. Drink ye all of This That is onely the Priests must Drink 3. Be ye Holy for I am Holy Therefore it is unlawful for the Ministers of the Word to marry a Wife Exception of the Jesuites Which of the Popes or what Catholick Writer ever concluded this out of that place Answer to this Exception Pope Syricius did first of all so Collect And after him Pope Innocent As it may be read in Gratian Dist. 31. cap. Tenere and Dist 82. cap. Proposuisti cap. Plurimos 4. This is another like Interpretation Give not holy things unto Doggs Therefore the people must be forbidden to read the Scriptures 5. What should we number up Innumerable more of the Popes and Papists Interpretations By which they do nothing but pervert and wrest the Scriptures In Particular These be the Frauds of the Church of Rome Concerning Her first Principle Which is the Scripture 1. Fraud The Papists making Shew to Receive the Scriptures for Ground and Rule of Faith Do Disgrace Them in Joyning Traditions with Them 1. FOr as the Scriptures are Grounds And Rule of true Doctrine So are They onely Grounds And Rule 2. And as in Matters of Faith Arguments ought principally to be drawn from Them so such Arguments onely conclude necessarily As even the Schoolman Thomas Aquinas doth Directly confesse 1. Part. 1. Quaest. Artic. 8. Ad. 2. 2. Fraud The Church of Rome which Produceth Scriptures for one of Her Principles And Rules hath indeed no sufficient Scriptures FOr in making an old rotten Translation which we may boldly call so being compared with the Original Word of Scripture to be the Authentical Word of God and denying the Original Faithful Texts which Moses the Prophets the Apostles the Evangelists did write to be the Word of God What doth she else but plainly as it were with one dash of a Penne Cancel the whole Scriptures 2. This Homely Latin Translation is the Papists Scripture 3. Coined and Canonized of late in the Councel of Trent And never before 4. And other Scripture have They none §. Of the Corruption of the vulgar Latine Translation more Fully 1. THe Reader of the vulgar Latin Translation may manifestly perceive That in it are manifold and almost infinite Faults of all sorts 1. By Adding 2. By Oâ—â—â—â—ing 3. By Misâ—â—â—ing Of Letters Of Points Of 〈◊〉 And 〈…〉 4. By wrong interpreting the Original Text. 2. Whâ—â—â—â—â—â—lts The Popish Doctors shall never 〈…〉 â—â—prove or Justifie Though They 〈◊〉 thâ—â—selves never so much with Traveling and â—â—â—ing and seeking some Defence 3. When They have said what They can say for Maintenance of These Corruptions it shall for all that Appear By all Learning and Evidence of Reason that They have Neither the Old nor the New Testament in the Entire and Original Truth thereof Refutation of the Excessive Praises that the Semiminarie Priests of Rhemes gives to the English Rhemish Translation 1. 1. LEt the Seminarie Priests of Rhemes give what Commendation they will to their English Translation 2. We Reformed say against it That that Translation is the worst of all the Translations
that regard they sate at the last in Councils As namely in the sixth Council of Carthage And in the Council of Gregory the first And the Gallicane Church in her Remonstrances to the Council of Canstance saies these words Cardinals are the Rectors or Parsons of the Parochial Churches at Rome They have their Dignities in their parishes and their First and principal Office is To hear Confessions To preach and to Baptize c. 6. But Onuphrius saith in Libro de Cardinalibus That when Pope Clement the 2. about the year 1046. had strengthened the Papal Majesty Leo the 9. about the year 1049. did begin to raise up the State of Cardinals at Rome 7. Unto whom afterwards Innocent the 4. about the year 1244. gave the priviledge of the Red Hat Of the Scarlet Gown And to go on Horseback through the Citie 8. And in the year 1470. Paul the 2. did confirm it 9. And since Clement the 5. went so far in his Clementines as to make them march before all the Princes of the earth 10. But that the beginning of Cardinals had been such as hath been represented Besides the consent of the whole History it doth appear by the following things 1. It doth appear by this That Antiently there were onely 28 of them That is to say as many as of Titles and of the parishes at Rome 2. That doth appear by this That as the Popes were willing to make a great number of Cardinals they did also increase the number of the Parishes of Rome 3. That doth appear by this That above a thousand years lasting the least Bishop had the precedence of a Cardinal how Ancient soever he might be And even the Dean likewise 4. That doth appear by this That the Cardinalat was a Degree to become Bishop And that he who of a Cardinal was made Bishop did cease to be Cardinal which was not altered but about the year 1190 by Pope Clement the third 5. That doth appear by this That among the Cardinal Bishops the Precedence was taken from the Promotion to the Bishoprick and not to the Cardinalship The Cardinals being esteemed inferiours to Bishops and onely more then simple Priests Alexander the 3. did change that after he had troden under feet the Emperor Frederick about the year 1180. making thenceforth the Cardinals Bishops and the Cardinals not Bishops to have the precedence of Bishops Archbishops Primates Patriarchs c. 6. That doth appear by this That the Church of Ravenna in Italy had her Cardinals and kept them a long time which also in the time of Charles the Great did maintain That she held nothing of Rome 11. Concerning Cardinal Deacons the books of the Church of Rome do teach us That there was but one there in the beginning which was called so because he was the Principal Deacon called by us Arch-Deacon of the seven Deacons that were in that City that is to say one for two Regions which were called Regionarie Deacons having the care of the Alms. Since they were 14 one for a Region and afterwards 18. To give 4 of them to Latran and at last they were all Cardinals and that without Number 12. It must not be wondred at Then if the Canonists do Dispute that the Cardinals have no Rank in the Church and that they are neither Instituted by Christ nor by his Apostles c. 13 Neither also must we wonder if even the Cardinal of Alliaco among the Articles which he presented to the Council of Constance Libr. de Reform at the Request of the Emperour Sigismond did give counsel to extinguish them as superfluous and added without cause This is an Observation greatly to be considered namely That the Arguments used in the Church of Rome for Defence of their Erroneous Doctrines before the coming in of the Jesuites are declared by the Jesuites themselves to have been but sleight and weak Arguments Jesuites OUr Ancestors saies one of the Jesuites otherwise most wise men having not alwaies to Debate with wilful Spirits did not strictly stand upon exact Form of Teaching Answer to that by the Reformed 1. THe cause is the more desperate when such wise men could find no better Arguments to maintain it but such as even the Jesuites themselves confesse to be but weak 2. And both their Heresies were then too credulous to believe And the Jesuites are now ridiculous to defend such loose Arguments as they do § By the above observation it doth manifestly appear That the Jesuites that now have taken upon them to defend the Doctrine Erroneous of the Church of Rome of all the Sophisters of that Church are the greatest 1. THe Jesuites puts now down all the Ancient Sophisters of the Church of Rome for deceipt and fraud themselves being yet but upstarts 2. For if there were ever any kingdom of poor blind men over the stark blind questionless it is now wholy descended unto the Jesuites 3. To whom the former Popish Doctors as also the Ancienter Orders of Monks and Friars do willingly yeild the Garland because they think that they see something Of all the Sophisters Jesuites Bellarmine a Jesuite is the greatest and most Vniversal as appears by the Representation and Observation of his Faults 1. REading the Controversies of Cardinal Bellarmine concerning Religion we find two kinds of Faults in them Some are General And the others are Particular 2. These be some of his General Faults 1. To make shew and parade of his Learning he propounds and moves Questions too curious as also unprofitable 2. He refutes the Antient Errors with too great prolixitie and labour which were not to be drawn out of Hell wherein in times past truth had made them fall 3. He unjustly reproves the Reformed Doctors and slanders them being beholding unto them for many matters that he hath taken from them though he doth not vouchsafe to acknowledg it 4. When he loses all hope to be helped by holy Scriptures he doth strengthen himself by the Authority of the Fathers and of the Councils and of Miracles 5. Against all right and reason to maintain and uphold his Capitolin god which is the Pope he alleadges unto us the Popes in their own Cause as Judges or witnesses 6. Also to prove his Assertions he alleadges and produce that which hath been done by the Pope Whereas it was to be known in regard of Right whether they ought to do such things 7. To procure glory and fame unto himself and being stirred by Ambition he blames and rebukes every kind of persons even his own Doctors and moreover the holy Scriptures 8. Having undertaken to uphold an Error he hoth sink in the mud the more when he goes on 4. Concerning the particular Faults of the said Cardinal they appear in every point of controversie which he handles against the Reformed Churches Which particular Faults are clearly discovered and solidly refuted by the Doctors of the said Churches who did undertake the Answer to the said Controversie §. An
perverse and wicked This cannot be done by Ecclesiastical Persons For their Office is to preach to exhort to rebuke and by Spiritual Censures to Correct But they bear not the Sword And they are deprived of that Supream Power which by the fear of punishment may contain the Impious and wicked in their Duty Therefore the very outward face of a Christian Commonwealth shall not be retained if we exclude the Civil Magistrate from the Supream Authority concerning Religion 1. The Prince And Soveraign Magistrate must order and settle nothing Concerning Religion without Consulting the Book of Holy Scriptures 2. And Assembling Learned and Godly Divines whose Charge is to expound them 1. 1. THe Grecians never undertook any matter of great consequence before they received Answer from their Oracles 2. Neither the Jews before they consulted with God by the Ephod 3. Nor the Romans before they had the Approbation of their Sooth-sayers 4. And therefore doubtlesse all Christian Princes and Estates are to expect either a Command Or at least a Warrant from Holy Scripture before they proceed in matter so nearly concerning God and his Service 5. Otherwise they goe about to set the Sun-Dial by their Watch and not their Watch by their Sun-Dial 6. Whether all wise Governours like good Pilates have Manum ad Clavum oculos ad Astra The eye upon the Starres And their hand upon the Helm Steering their Course below by direction from above 2. 1. THough Soveraigns are Supreame Commanders for the Truth yet they are not the Supream or sole directors unto Truth For in Scruples of Conscience And perplexed Controversies of Religion they are to require the Law from the mouth of the Priest That is they are to ask Counsel of the Prophets And generally in all matters appertaining to God to hear the Ministers of God declaring to them the will of God out of his Word 2. Symmachus was bold to tell Anastasius the Emperour that as Bishops owe Subjection to Gods Sword in Princes hands So Princes owe obedience to Gods Word in Bishops mouthes Defer Deo in nobis nos deferemus Deo in te O Emperour hear God speaking by us and we will fear God ruling by thee The same God who hath put a material Sword in thy hands to smite malefactors in their body hath put a Spiritual Sword in our mouth to slay sin in the Soul 3. The Magistrate is the hand of God but the Preacher is his mouth And for this cause all wise and Religious Kings have given them their ears And taken some of them in their bosome As David did Nathan to receive Instruction and direction from them how to sway the Royal Scepter within the walls of the Church In what regard a Soveraign Prince is said to be the Head of the Church which is within his States and Dominions 1. IT is not in the same sense that Christ is called the Head of the Church which is Mystically For this honour is proper onely unto him And cannot without an horrible blasphemy be attributed to any Creature 2. Neither also is it in the same senâ—â— that the Popes of Rome do call themselves Ministerial Heads of the Universal Church Pretending thereby to have an Universal and a Supreame Power in Spiritual things belonging to Religion and Conscience As also an Universal Jurisdiction over all Ecclesiastical Persons For this Title belongeth not unto them neither by Divine nor Humane Right But they assume it by a meer Antichristian Usurpation 3. The Soveraign then is called Head of the Church of his States and Countries in the same sense that in Gods Word King Saul is called the Head of the Nations That is to say not only as he is the first the Noblest member of the Church of his States and Countries but because he is her Defendor her Nursing Father and Supream Inspector and who is bound by the virtue of his Supream Authority to establish therein defend and maintain Religion and the Divine truth As also a good and a lawful Government Of the Marks of the True Religion By which it is distinguished from the False Religion of Pagans c. 1. THe First Mark of the True Religion is This That it direct us And all our Religious Service unto the true God Creator of Heaven and Earth The onely Searcher of Mens Hearts Of which chiefly he will be served By this first Mark true Religion is distinguished from all Idolatrous Religions which seek unto Wood to Stone to the Sun to the Moon to Men to Angels and to all the Creatures that are in Heaven and in Earth 2. The second Mark of the true Religion is That the Service of God which Religion is to teach us must be grounded upon his word And Revealed unto us by his own self This Second Mark will serve us to discern the True Religion from the Inventions of Men. And to reject as untruth whatsoever is not grounded upon Gods word 3. The Third Mark of the True Religion is That True Religion must put into our Hands a Mean to satisfie Gods Justice Without the which not only all other Religions but also even that which concerneth the true serving of the true God were utterly vain and unprofitable By this third Mark True Religion is distinguished from all False Religions Man's Reason hath well perceived that some such Mean was needful in Religion But to know what that Mean is was too high a Thing for man's Reason to attain unto 4. The True Religion then And which deserveth the Name of Religion is only that Which hath God for her Scope His Word for warrant of her worshipping And a Mean appointed by him to pacifie him towards us And in that Religion onely and in none other resteth Salvation The Ancient Judaical Religion hath been a True Religion The Jews having had the knowledge of the true God And having served and worshipped him alone 1. AMong the great Nations Of the Assyrians Of the Persians Of the Greeks Of the Aegyptians And of the Romans Whose Religions did not bear the Livery of one onely true God But of Many There was discovered a little Nation called the People of Israel Which worshipped the Creator of the World Acknowledged him for their Father Did call upon him alone in their need And for all the small Account that others made of them Did abhorre all the glistering gloriousnesse of the Great Monarchies and Kingdomes that were out of the way The first Christian Religion was Pure and True 1. FOr it was wholly According to the Will of God Declared by the Prophets by Jesus Christ And By his Apostles 2. It was a Pure and a True Religion Because It Had All the Marks and Parts of the True Religion 1. Teaching to know one onely God Creator of Heaven and Earth And who Conserves And Governs All Things By his Providence 2. It Discovers to the sinful Man the true Mean to be Reconciled with God Namely By the Mercy of Jesus Christ our Redeemer
the end that none should think her over excellent he calleth her woman Prophesying as it were aforehand of the Heresies which should arise And premonishing that none in admiration of her Sanctity should fall into this Heresie of Adoration 5. Of which doting Heresie of Adoration of the Virgin the Papists are guilty in a high degree For in the Countries subject to the See of Rome all men and women wheresoever they are in the City or in the Field thrice a day when the Ave Mary Bell rings send up their united devotions to her and where one professeth himself a devote to our Saviour whole Towns devote themselves to her where one prayeth at a Crucifix ten pray at her Image where one fasteth on Friday which they account our Lords day Many fast on Saturday which they count our Ladaies day To conclude they conclude all their prayers with an Ave Maria As we do with our Lords Prayer and most of their Treatises with Laus Deiparae Virgini Praise be to the Virgin Mother of God And in the Psalter called Bonaventures they have Intituled all the 150. Psalms of David to her and where he saith Lord they put Lady Touching Adoration of Relicks It is Idolatry the Church of Rome is very much guilty thereof What office is to be rendred to the Bodies of those that are deceased by those that are alive It is not to worship them but to bury them 1. THis the Protestants reproves concerning Relicks of Saints 1. Such Adoration of Relicks as S. Hierome himself and S. Augustine condemned 2. The attributing of Supernatural Effects to Monuments and Relicks which they have not by any ordinance of God 3. To place confidence and merit in these things without any divine authority and to cause people to gad and wander to this or that place that they may receive benefit by them 4. We most of all condemn the Impostures and covetousnesse of the Romanists who in stead of true Reliks brought in counterfeits The Lance is found wherewith Christs side was pierced A Brazen Serpent made of the same Brass which Moses his Serpent was at Milan in S. Ambrose his Church Tunica Inconsutilis Domini nostri c. 5. And consequently for filthy lucre bartered and made Portsale of these Relicks abusing herein the Ignorance and Superstition of fond people 2. And on the side the said Protestants declare That the office which is to be rendred to the Bodies of Saints Deceased by those that are alive is not to Worship them but to bury them In that regard Eusebius writeth thus concerning Polycarp After we had gathered his Bones being more precious than Pearls and Gold we buried them where it was fit Of Miracles wrought by Dead Bones and Carcasses of Saints 1. VVHen it pleaseth the Lord to shew his Power and to work Miracles in any place or by any means as seemeth Good unto himself we admire his power and praise his goodness 2. And we are not Ignorant how God hath used dead bones as an Instrument of Life 2 King 13. v. 21. 3. And concerning these things Bishop Jewel hath written in this manner Reply Art 1. p. 39. Almighty God for the Testimony of his Doctrine and Truth hath oftentimes wrought great Miracles even by the dead carkasses of his Saints In witness that they had been his Messengers and the Instruments of his Will But as they were godly Inducements at the first to lead people unto the Truth So afterwards they became snares to lead the same People into Errors We Protestants must not frequent Exercises of Popish Worship nor assist to the Mass 1. VVE cannot be present there but either we must give great offence or commit a Greater 2. Give great offence if we do not as the Papists do and joyn not with them in Censing Images bowing before them offering unto them and kissing In calling upon Saints and praying for the releasing of Souls out of Purgatory 3. Or commit a greater if we joyn with them in their superstitious Rites and Idolatries In so doing we give greater offence to the Church of God And not onely receive a mark from the Beast but a grievous Wound 4. Constantine the Emperour thought himself defiled if he had but seen an Heathenish Altar Ambros Epist. 31. David if he had but made mention of an Idol Psal 16. v. 4. Their Offerings of Blood I will not offer nor take their names into my mouth 5. The Corinthians might not be partakers of such meats as were offered to Idols May we be partakers of such Prayers as are offered unto them It was unlawful for them to fit at the same Table with Idolaters when they kept their Solemn Feasts Can it be lawful for us to stand at the same Altar with them 6. Let us think again and again upon those fearful menaces Apoc. 14. v. 9. If any man worship the Beast and his Image and receive the mark in his forehead or in his hand the same shall drink of the Wine of the Wrath of God and he shall be tormented in fire and brimstone before the holy Angels and before the Lamb And the smoake of their torments shall ascend for ever And they shall have no rest day nor night which worship the Beast and his Image and whosoever receiveth the Print of his Name 7. We have not received any print of the Beast we are free from the least suspition of Familiarity with the Whore of Babylon we have kept our selves unspotted of Popery Therefore as we tender not onely our Honour and Reputation but chiefly the salvation of our Bodies and Souls let us keep our selves still from Idols Let us be zealous for Gods honour and he will be zealous for our safety Let us abstain from all appearance of that evil which the Spirit of God ranketh with Sorcery and Witchcraft As the Church of Rome became corrupted by Degrees in Regard of the Doctrine of Faith since the Apostles Times So did she in regard of Manners 1. This is True in regard of the Pope her Head 1. THe Common Opinion which Men did conceive of the Time in which Gregory the Great lived was that Gregory the Great was the last good and the first ill Bishop of Rome 2. He was no better then should be 3. And all the other Bishops that suceeded him were stark nought Every one striving to goe beyond his Predecessor in all leudnesse 4. So that now a Sink of all wickednesse hath hath violently burst into the Church 2. This is true in respect of the Popish Clergy and in respect of other Members of the said Roman Church 1. A Sink of all wickednesse doth now possesse all the Parts of the Roman Church 2. The Adversaries do force us Reformed to open the Sores of their Church which we had rather not touch But they are so unreasonable that they neither spared us nor themselves 1. Bernard who was the onely Religious Man the Church of Rome had for many years How often
their Allegiance unto him and conformity to his Laws Of the Contentions and Differences which happens in the Church about Religion 1. IT is the craft and practice of Sathan sworn enemy to Christ and to his Church to rise and excite Contentions and Differences in the same He sowes his Tares in the Field of the Lord and at the coming up of the Heavenly Doctrine he raises great Fogs as some do rise at the rising of the Sun 2. Which he doth to hinder to his utmost power the vertue and efficacy of the said Divine Doctrine and to maintain his Kingdom which is not destroyed by any thing so much as by preaching of the Word of God 3. From the beginning of the Christian Church we have some examples of such differences among the Faithful Then there was a great controversie concerning the Ceremonies of the Law Act. 15.5 some thought it needful to keep them and others were against them 4 Since Divisions and Differences are also crept in the Churches which were founded by the Apostles in the time of Irencus what contention was it between the Eastern and Western Churches concerning the time of the Celebration of Easter or Pasch and how long did it last The Eastern Churches maintaining that it was to be kept as the Jews did the fourteenth day of the Moneth after the Equinox of the Spring And the Western onely the Sunday following In the time of S. Cyprian the Council of Affrick had a belief quite contrary to that of the other Churches Having decreed that those should be rebaptized who before had been baptized by Hereticks Is it not also that which by the craft of the same Enemy is happened immediately after the last Reformation of the Church when then the first Reformers did imploy themselves about the Discovery and Refutation of the Errors of the Roman Church on one side the Anabaptists did arise in great number and with a wonderful fury opposing the Power and Authority of the Civil Magistrate And on the other side the Sacramentary War did become hot That is to say the difference concerning the presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist Is it not besides that which since some years we have seen in this Church and State where the Arminians did trouble the peace of both And now it is troubled by Anabaptists Separatists Antinomians and by sundry other dangerous Sects 5. Now when we say that Satan is the cause of the contentions and differences which happens in the Church We do not mean that he be the onely cause of them For it is certain that there are some other As 1. Pride and Self-love And 2. Ignorance 1. Pride and Self-love is a firebrand of contention and discord whereas on the contrary Humility entertains peace and concord For Humility seeks the last places for which there is no debate and so peace is conserved 2. Ignorance also is a great cause of contentions and differences For the Faithful may be ignorant of many things and yet be too-confident in their knowledge Of the Troubles and Contentions which happens in the Church about Religion 1. IT is a thing which is to be noted that the contentions and differences which happens in the Church commonly begins by the most weak and ignorant but who with their ignorance are stubborn and obstinate 2. The reason thereof is rendered by S. Cyril who sayes that there is nothing more audacious than ignorance and that there is none so enormous crime but that it hath the boldness to reach unto it 3. So do we read John the third 25 26. that the contention which was moved between the Disciples of John the Baptist and the Jews which followed Christ did first arise from the Disciples of John who were rude and impertinent men As it is to be seen in the History of the Gospel and particularly in the Answer of John their Master which he gave unto them 4. And this is too much confirmed by the Examples of the dangerous contentions moved in these times by the dangerous sects of Anabaptists Of all Sectaries none are so ignorant as they and yet none so quarrelsome and who are the first to debate 5. They are like unto Sarah Abrahams Wife who in the difference concerning Hagar although she was the weakest and had the wrong on her side Yet she did rise against Abraham her Husband and said unto him the Lord judge between me and thee Gen. 16.5 Of the Remedy to the Contentions and Differences which happen in the Church about Religion 1. WE read Acts 15.5 6. that the way which the Apostles and the Elders did take to compose the great dissention which was arised touching Circumcision was to meet in Council for to consider of this Matter 2. Which is a commendable way and most fit to compose differences and contentions when some are happened in the Church 3. And therefore which ought to be the way that the Prince and Supream Magistrate most use when some happens in the Churches of his States and Dominions Then he must assemble a Synod or Council as he calls a Parliament to compose the civil differences and to order the things belonging to the State 4. So did the Apostles as hath been said so did afterwards the Primitive Church And so did the Antient Emperours who did desire the Union of the Church which did succeed very well unto them For as by the Council of the Apostles was decided and composed the difference concerning Circumcision and the Ceremonies of the Law Acts 15. So the first Council of Nice did condemn the Heretick Arius who denied the Divinity of Christ The council of Constantinople did condemn the Heretick Macedonius who denied the Divinity of the Holy Ghost The council of Ephesus did condemn Nestorius who denied the Unity of the Person of Christ And the council of Chalcedon did condemn the Heretick Eutiches who confounded the two Natures of Christ 5. An Universal council is most useful when it can be called and assembled But it is not absolutely necessary for the conservation and maintenance of the Church 6. And therefore National Churches may commodiously enough be Ruled and Governed by National Synods 7. For that cause and in that regard the care of the Prince and Soveraign Magistrate ought to be that such a National Synod be settled and established in the National Churches of his Dominions and States Let us be careful to entertain Peace and Concord in the Church of England and to avoid all Divisions among us 1. FOr it is the Axiom of our Saviour That A Kingdome divided against it self cannot stand 2. It is the Maxim of Philosophy Omne divisibile est corruptibile which holds in all States and Societies 3. Lib. 2. Natur. Hist cap. 105. The Church and the Common-wealth like the Lapis Tirrhenus of whom Pliny speaketh while they are whole swim in all waters but if they be broken into Factions or crumbled into Sects and Schisms they will soon sink
us learne by this what the Gods of the Pagans and Gentiles were 1. 1. IT is written of Ewhemere of Tegea That the cause why he was called an Atheist was for that he wrote the true History and Genealogie of the heathen Gods 2. Shewing that they were Kings Princes and great Personages 3. Whose Images being kept for a Remembrance of them were turned into Idols 4. Their High and worthy Doings into yearly Gaming 's 5. And their Honourings into Worshippings 2. 1. ANd Seneca writes in his Book of Superstition that the Gods as he saith which were called inviolable and immortall were dumb and senceless Images disguised in the shapes of Men of Beasts and of Fishes and some in ugly and ill favoured Monsters 2. That the Daemones which were the Devils which possessed those Images did require worse things for their service then the horriblest Tyrants that ever were 3. As that men should Gash themselves Maime and Lame themselves Geld themselves and offer to them in Sacrifice Men Women and Children Seeing the Romans brought into Rome the Gods of all the Nations whom they had conquered It is demanded how it happened that the God of the Ancient Jewes which was the true and the onely God and none other did find no place there 1. CIcero in his Oration for Flaccus answereth That that beseemed not the Majestie of the Empire 2. But in his conscience did Bacchus Anubis Pryapus and their shameful Nightwakes and Mysteries celebrated in the Dark yeild Renown to the State of the Empire 3. Nay if he will say the Truth they knew that the God of Israel and none other was the true God 4. And that for the harbouring of him it behoved them to drive away all the rest 5. And they had for so long a time fed the people in Idolatrie that they were afraid as many Princes also to be cast and driven away by their Subjects in receiving their rightful Lord. They were Devils who were worshipped by the Pagans under the Name of their false Gods 1. THe Gods of the Pagans were men 2. Under the Names of those men the Devils made themselves to be worshipped 3. The Devils to get credit and to authorize themselves did borrow the Name of men and very often the Names of most wicked men 4. And in their Oracles when they were asked what they were they said that they were those men 5. As for Example he that was worshipped at Delphos said he was the Son of Latona Esculapius said he was the Son of Apollo and Mercury said he was the Son of Jupiter and of Maja as we read in their Oracles rehearsed by Porphyrius 6. Now what honest man doth not make difficultie for never so great gain to make use of the Name of a wicked man Nay who doth not abhor the Name and the very remembrance of such an one 7. And who then will not conclude that those Devils were worse then those wicked men who would win credit clothed of the skins of such wicked men 1. The Sybils speak but of one onely God 2. And do cry also against the false Gods 1. IT is disputed among the Learned by what Spirit the Sybils did speak because it is not unconvenient that God should compel the very Devils to set forth his Praises 2. Howsoever it be they speak but of one onely God saying There is but onely one true God right great and everlasting Almighty and Invincible which seeth every thing but cannot be seen himself of any fleshly man Lactantius lib. 1. cap. 6. 3. Also they cry out against the false Gods and exhort men to beat down their Altars accounting them happy who shall dedicate themselves to the glorifying of onely one God Among the divers Religions of Pagans there were some manifestly impious and wicked 1. SOme worshipping the Creatures in Heaven yea and on Earth as the Aegyptians did in old time and as the Tartarians do at this day 2. Some offering up Men in Sacrifices as the Carthaginians did in old time and as the Western Isles do yet at this day 3. And other-some permitting things not onely contrary to all Laws but also even horrible and lothsome to nature 4. If all this was good I pray you what good doth remain or what evil is there in the World Of the False Worship of the Idolatrous Heathen 1. THe Idolatrous Heathen did render a Religious Worship 2. And were not content onely to offer Beasts to their Gods as the Jewes did to the true God but also they did offer men 3. For in some places they Sacrifice their Children as among the Moabites In others their Fathers as among the Triballi Elsewhere their Princes or Priests as among the Indians And in some Countries Themselves as among the Americans 4. Yet for all this their throwing themselves into or causing others to passe through the fire to their Moloch or Saturn or Abaddon they are not to be accounted true worshippers and such worship is not true but false 5. Because what they doe in this kind is not done by Gods Commandement nor intended to the honour of the true God but it is in obedience and to the honour of an Idol or Devil whom they worship instead of the true God Of the Falshood of the Modern Jews Religion in particular 1. THey serve and honour onely one God but they soyle with many Fables the Doctrine of the nature of God and of the Providence which they acknowledge as it clearly appears by the Fables which are related by Buxtorfius 2. The Modern Jewes seek the means of their reconciliation in some outward Ceremonies in Washings and Purifications and such other like things whose Conscience being awaked they are forced to acknowledge that by such things the Remorse of the Conscience and the Sting of Sin cannot be plucked out from the sinful Man 3. 1. The Modorn Jews although it seems that they keep the Bark of the Law yet they denie the Truth thereof 3. Besides they give false Interpretations to the said Law as it is to be seen in divers places of the New Testament 4. Moreover they forge and invent many absurd things concerning the Messias and the Kingdom thereof As also concerning Eternal Life all contrarie to the Doctrine of the Old Testament Of the Religion of the Modern Jews In what respects now the Judaical Religion is opposite to Christ 1. THe Jews Religion is opposite to Christ in two respects principally First In retaining the old Ceremonies of Moses Law which were shadows of things to come Rom. 10.4 Heb. 10.1 and had their accomplishment in Christ For that which S. Paul saith concerning Circumcision is to be understood of all other Ceremonies Gal. 4.9 5.2 They which entangle themselves with that Yoke of Bondage under those impotent and beggarly rudiments are abolished from Christ and Christ doth profit them nothing Secondly In devising a multitude of strange and new Superstitions coined in the Mint of their Rabinish conceits contrary not
Depart out of thy Mouth Nor out of the Mouth of thy Seed Nor out of the Mouth of thy Seeds Seed saith the Lord from henceforth and for ever And Such Like Answer to this Third Objection 1. TO what Purpose doth this Objection serve the Popish Writers Or what Argument may the Perpetuity Of Christs Universal Church afford Them against our former Assertion 2. We Believe and Confesse to the Comfort of our Souls That Christs Church hath continued And shall never fail so long as the world endureth 3. And we account it a prophane Heresie to teach that Christs Universal Church hath Perished from the Earth at any Time For this Assertion shaketh the Foundation of all Faith and Religion 4. But the Popish Writers who makes this Objection Should prove by invincible evidence of Scripture That the Catholick Universal Church of Christ is nothing Else But the Outward Succession of the Roman See If They can Prove This They should Prove their Objection Soundly And should confute our Opinion Truely 5. But it is a Thing which They cannot Doe They cannot bring us Either Texts of Scriptures or Reasons To shew that Christs Church Either is the Popes Succession Or Else dependeth upon the same See 6. For as Touching External Shew And Succession of Churches The Scriptures have foretold Apoc. 12. and 13.16 That Antichrist shall Seduce Great and Small Rich and Poor Free and Bond And that the Church shall flie into the Wildernesse And there Remain Of all which no word could be true If the Catholick Church were tied To the Popes Chaire And the Popes Chaire were the Rock That cannot be removed 7. And yet notwithstanding this General Dispersion And the Flight of the Church under Antichrist The Catholick Church shall for all That Continue 8. Although not in that outward strength And Glory In which sometimes it hath appeared And Flourished 4. Objection Of the Popish Writers Against the above Exercitations That the Now Church of Rome is Changed And is not Now what it was in the Beginning What Impudence is This say the said Writers There was never Heresie that Assaulted the Church of Rome Of which it carried not the Victory As Over the Donatists Over Jovinian Over Pelagius the Britain And over Others Answer to this Fourth Objection 1. THe Triumphs of which the Popish Writers do boast of Are no more proper to the Now or Latter Church of Rome Then the Triumphs of old Rome Over Pyrrhus Over Annibal Over Perses Over Antiochus are to be esteemed the Triumphs of Rome Now Being 2. And for the pretended Victory over Pelagius the Britain we say that he Triumphed over the Popish Kingdome For did he not Teach That Grace was imbred in Nature And the Popish Crew of Jesuites Defendeth the same Who seeth not then Pelagius sitting in the Popish Triumphant Chariot Popery is not of the first and Primary Antiquity That is many of the present Doctrines of the Church of Rome And in what Time Errors were received in it 1. PApists are not able to produce any Record Expresse and direct testimony Canon of Council or Ecclesiastical constitution For their burning Lights in the Church at noon day before the Decree of Pope Sabinianus in the year of our Lord 605. 2. Nor for Rome to be the Head of all Churches before Pope Boniface the Third in the year 606. 3. Nor for the Invocation of Saints in their Publick Lithurgy before Boniface the Fifth in the year 618. 4. Nor for their Latine Service thrust upon all Churches before Pope Vitalian in the year 666 which is the very number of the name of the Beast 5. Nor for the Cutting of the Host into three parts and offering one part for the Souls in Purgatory before Pope Sergius in the year 688. 6. Nor for setting up Images in Churches Generally and worshipping them before Pope Adrian the First and the Second Council of Nice in the year 787. 7. Nor for Canonization of Saints departed before Leo the Third about the year 800. 8. Nor for the Orall Manducation of Christs Body in the Sacrament before Pope Nicholas the Second in the year 1053. 9. Nor for the entire number of seven Sacraments before Peter Lombard in the year 1140. 10. Nor for Indulgences before Engenius the third in the year 1145. 11. Nor for Transubstantiation of the Bread into Christs body before the Fourth Council of Lateran in the year 1215. 12. Nor for the Elevation of the Host that the People might adore it before Honorius the Third in the year 1216. 13. Nor for any Jubilee before Pope Boniface the Eighth in the yeer 1300. 14. Nor for the Carrying the Sacrament in Procession under a Canopy before Pope Vrban the Fifth In the year 1262. 15. Nor for the Day and half Communion before the Council at Constance in the year 1416. 16. Nor for the suspending the Efficacy of Sacramental Consecration upon the Priests Intention before the Council at Florence in the year 1439. 17. Nor for the Popes Superiority to General Councils before the Sixt Council at Lateran under Leo the Tenth in the year 1517. 18. Nor the vulgar Latine Translation to be held for Authentical And upon no pretended Cause whatsoever to be reiected before the fourth Session of the Council of Trent in the year 1546. 19. Nor for the Second book of the Macchabees and the Apocryphal Additions to Hester and Daniel with the History of Bell and the Dragon which S. Jerome termeth a Fable to bereceived for Canonical Scripture before the said Session in the year above named 1. Frande 1. These be the Principles and Grounds of Faith and Worship that the Church of Rome doth Produce 1. Scriptures 2. Traditions of the Apostles 3. The Catholick Church 4. General Councils 5. The Ancient Fathers 6. The Pope which she calls the Supream Pastour of the Church 2. These be the Fraudes of the Church of Rome Concerning all the Principles and Rules above Produced The 1. of those Fraudes is That the Church of Rome careth indeed for none of Them but for the last which is The Determination of her Pope 1. THe Scripture must not be Scripture in any other Sense then as the Pope will Expound So that the Scripture being the Meaning of the Scripture And the Meaing of the Scripture being the Popes Exposition Hereof it followeth That the Scripture is nothing else but the Popes Interpretation 2. So Likewise In Traditions In Doctors In Councils In Churches If any Thing Dissent from the Popes understanding and Determination It is Rejected Abolished Condemned 3. And Finally all Faith all Religion all Divinity of the Church of Rome is only the Popes Sacred will and pleasure Papists give the Churches Authority to the Pope And take all Authority quoad nos from the Scripture So that by the Church they understand the Pope 1. THe Papists 1. take all Authority from the Scripture 2. They give it to the Church And 3. They give the Churches Authority to