Prelates were burnt in the forehead so driuen out of the Realm Rob. Gisburn Illiricus saith they were afterwards slaine by the Pope Illâ—r Catol Martyrol p. 83. In France The Waldenses or Pauperes de Lugdâ—â—â— so called from one Waldus a man of great substance in the City of Lyons who about the yeare 1160 taking occasion by the sudden death of one with whom hee was walking beganne with a carefull studie to reforme his life and to this end studied the Scriptures diligently and taught the true knowledge of Gods word to as many as resorted vnto him In short space the number of those who ioyned with him came to thousands who were dispersed abroad into diuers parts of the world These were miserably persecuted by the Pope and his faction Hist de Waldeâ—s Raymund Earle of Tholouse for taking part with them was wrongfully vexed and disinherited by the Pope Mat. Paris In France The Religion of the Waldenses 1 They held that the Pope is not greater then another Bishop 2 That there is no purgatory 3 That it is in vaine to pray for the dead 4 That Masses for the dead are the inuentions of couetous priests 5 That images hallowing of waters and other creatures are superstitious 6 That the word of God should be truly preached vnto all men 7 That Fryers shrift and the vse of the oile in Baptisme are the inuentions of men 8 They contemned the Masse all that appertained to it 9 They misliked the single life of votaries and the distinction of daies and meats 10 They defended the reading of Scripture by the Laitie 11 They had but two sacraments 12 That the Communion should be administred in both kinds Nauc vol. 2. g. 900. Hildebertus Archbishop of Tours about this time taxed the pride of the Pope and being an excellent Poet made this distich of Rome Vrbs foelix si vel dominis vrbs illa careret Vel dominis esset turpe carere fide Happy would this City be If wanting lords her selfe were free Or hauing Lords in dignitie These wanted not true honesty In Germany Fredericke Barbarossa the Emperour about the yeare 1150 opposed himselfe against the Pope forbidding appeales to Rome the comming of Legates from thence into Germany and other trickes of the papall pride A great part of Germanie tooke part with him Nancl. vol. 2. p. 836. gen 39. In Constantinople About this time Anselme Bishop of Haremburg being sent from Lotharius to Calo Iohannes Emperor of ConstaÌ„tinople among other things he disputed much of the supremacy of the Romane Bishop Nichetes Bishop of Nicodemia excellently contested against him and confuted his arguments maintaining that the pride of the Romish Church was the cause of so many schismes and heresies which were then abroad in the world Ext. in Nancl. vol. 2. p. 900 in Patr. Symps hist of the Church p. 433. Before that time there may bee seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeeres 1100. and 1150. In England THeobald Archbishop of Canterbury with the Prelates of England in a Councell held at London anno 16. Regni Stephani regis decreed that Bishops should liue more discreetly that Priests should not bee Rulers ouer worldly matters that they should teach their flockes more diligently and that the people should read the Scriptures and learne the Lords Prayer the Creed in English Malsmb Chron. King Henry the first and his Nobles were euen at the point to forsake the Romish Church Patet ex Epist Anselm ad Pascal Pap. Martyrol pag. 177. Lincolniensis gaue this description of a Frier A Frier is a dead Carkasse risen out of his Graue wrap'd in a winding-sheet and carried among men by the Diuell Wichleis in Trialog lib. 4. cap. 26. pag. 143. In Almaine HIldegard a Nunne and a Prophetesse liuing about the yeere 1146. most bitterly reprehended the abhominable life of the Pope and his Clergie inueighing against the greedie subtill proceeding of Friers denouncing woe vnto those who suffer themselues to be seduced by them and foretelling the horrible destruction of the Church of Rome Histor Iornal Martyrol p. 182. 237. In France BErnard Abbot of Châ—xâ—â—val born in Burgundy liued about this time who although liuing in a most corrupt age hee was exceeding superstitious in some points yet freely reproued diuers corruptions then comming on hee is cleare with vs against the conceipt of the Virgin Maries Conception free from sinne as appeareth Ex Epist 179. ad Cam. Lugdon Against Merites Ser. 1. de Annunciat Against Iustification by workes Serm. 22. in Cantic Against Free will Lib. de Grana lib. Arb. Against the seuenfold number of Sacraments Ser. 1. de coen Dâ—m Against the vncertaintie of Saluation Epist 107. Against the Popes Greatnesse in Temporalities Lib. 2. consid ad Eugen Also hee admonished Count Theobald who bestowed great matters in building of Abbies and Churches that he should rather support them which are of the houshold of Faith and bee carefull to build the euerlasting Tabernacle Epist 107. In Flanders ABout this time was one burnt in Antwerp for Preaching against the reall presence in the Sacrament Massan Chron. lib. 16. anno 1124. In Germanie HEnry the fifth Emperor against Paschalis then Pope maintayned his owne right of making Bishops and other Priuiledges that belonged to his Ancestors which the Pope vsurped Nauder vol. 2. p. 807. Segon anno 1111. In Italie Arnulphus an eloquent Preacher came to Rome about this time and in his Preaching reproues the vicious life of the Popish Clergie hee is supposed to bee the Author of the Booke called Opus Tripartitum which containeth a great complaint of the enormities and abuses in the Church of the number of their Holidayes of the curious singing in Cathedrall Churches of the rabble of begging Friers of the vnchast voluptuous behauiour of Churchmen and finally wisheth reformation to begin at the Sanctuary for the which the hatred of the Pope and his Clergie was so much incensed against him that they layd priuie wait for him tooke him and drowned him Martyrol pag. 181. Sabellius and Platina say they hanged him Platin. in vit Honor. 2. Before that time there may bee seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1050. and 1100. In England ABout this time saith Mathew Paris The King of England fauored not much the See of Rome because of their impudent and vnsatiable exactions neither would he suffer any of his Subiects to goe to Rome alledging these wordes in the Author thus expressed Quod Petri non inhaerent vestigijs praemijs inhiantes non eius potestatem retinent cuius sanctitatem probantur non imitari Math. Paris In France BErengarius Archdeacon of Angeow about the yeare 1060. withstood the Doctrine of Transubstantiation newly hatched in the Councell of Lateran And although by the violence of the Pope and his Clergie hee was driuen to recantation yet after his Death many adhered to his opinion Malsmb In Germanie
by Pope Eugenius and in the end degraded and burnt at Rome Ex Antonin 3. part fol. 165. Nicholaus Clemangis an Archdeacon De annot non soluend In Italy Laurentius Valla a Roman Patrician Cannon of S. Iohn of Lateran Ex eius tractat contra Eâ—entit Donat constat Petrus de Aliaco Cardinall of Cambray Tract de reform eccles Leonardus Aretinus Ex eius libello in Hypocrit Nicholaus Pycennius an Italian Captaine Ex orat Arclacens in Concil Basil In Germany Antonius Cornelius Lynaichanus Ex orat ad cler Colon. de lubricitat sacerd Martyrs Henricus Grunfielder Henricus Ratgeber Iohannes Draeandorfius Petrus Thoraw Matheus Hager of whom and the doctrine for which they suffered we may reade in Bali cent Martyrol p. 614. In Bohemia Iohn Hus Bachelor of Diuinity maintained 45 Articles in Prague against the Church of Rome in effect the same that we doe for which hee was called to the Councell of Constance where for persisting therein he was condemned and afterwards burnt Concil Constant Choclaus Huss Hierome of Prague Mr of Arts seconded Iohn Hus in defence of the same doctrine and followed him in martyrdome Cocl ibid. 54 Noblemen of Morauia wrote to the Councell of Constance in defence of Iohn Hus and Hierome of Prague whose names together with their Letter are recorded Martyrol p. 587. A great part of the Kingdome of Bohemia forsooke the Pope claue to the doctrine which they had learned from Hus and Hierom. Coch. ibid. Zisca a noble Bohemian with a great multitude of associates wage warre against the Papists and throw Images and Idols out of their Churches Coch. ibid. Before that time there may be seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1350 and 1400. In England ROger VVimbleton whose learned Sermon against diuers points of Popery preached at Pauls Crosse Anno 1389 is extant Martyrolog pag. 503. Iohn VVickliffe publique Reader of Diuinitie in the Vniuersitie of Oxford a famous learned man whose doctrine agreeing with ours may bee seene in his propositions recorded Martyrol pag. 414. This VVickliffe had many fauorites at that time especially Iohn of Gant and Henry Lord Percie the one Duke of Lancaster the other Marshall of England Ibid. The Vniuersitie of Oxford pag. 408 and many in the Parliament Anno 43 of Edward 3 did adhere vnto him Ibid. The Letters of King Richard the third and the Acts of Parliament then declare that this doctrine was dayly preached in Churches and Churchyards at which were present great multitudes of people Anno 5. Rich. 2. c. 5. Martyrs VVilliam Santree Iohn Badâ—ie Persecuted for the same Doctrine Philip Repington Nicholas Hertford William Thorpe Iohn Puruie Iohn Edwards Walter Brute Iohn Ashton Iohn Becket Iohn Seynonds Dauid Cotray William Swinderby diuers others Act. Mon. in vit Rich. 2. In France Gerardus a Deacon Henricus de Iota Henricus de Hassia 140 of those who adhered to the doctrine of the Albigenses were about this time put to death in the Prouince of Narbone Massae hist A great number more about this time were burnt in France for the like cause and were nicknamed Publicans Puritans Paterines Houedom hist Martyrol pag. 387. In Germany Taulerus a preacher of Argentine Iohannes Montzigor Rector of the Vniuersitie of Vime who openly in the schooles impugned the doctrine of Transubstantiation Martyrol p. 386. Conradus Hager Rhider About the yeare of our Lord 1390 thirty six Citizens of Mentz were burnt for the doctrine of the VValdenses and holding the Pope to be Antichrist and relying vpon the Scriptures and not vpon the traditions of the Church of Rome Brus Anal Et Martyrol p. 587. In Italy Nicholas Orem whose Sermon before the Pope and his Cardinals Anno 1546 sauoureth of our doctrine Extat Martyrol p. 382. Iohannes de Ganduno Andreas à Castro Dante 's Florentinus Franciscus Petrarcha Iohannes de rupe Scissa Iohannes de Castellione Iohannes de Poliaco In Bohemia Matthias Parisiensis a Bohemian by birth about the yeare 1370 wrote a booke of Antichrist prouing him already to bee come and that the Pope is the same Martyrol p. 386. Iacobus Milnensis Miletius The Vniuersitie of Prague in defence of VVickliffe ibid. 4â—0 Peter Painâ— a Scholleâ— of VVickliffe came inâ—o Bâ—hemia brought with him VVickliffs bookes which were in quantitie as great as Saint Augustines workes Histor de Hus lib. 1. In Spaine Petrus de Corbaria Franciscus de Areatara Floreleg Before that time there may be seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1300 and 1350. In England ARmachanus sometimes a Student in Oxford afterward Bishop of Armach and Primate of Ireland who before Pope Innocent the 8 his Cardinals disputed nine conclusions against the Friers Wickliffe in Trid. Besides that hee contested against diuers other abuses in the Popish Church Martyrol p. 378 for which he sustained diuers troubles by meanes of the Pope and his Cardinals Martyrol page 375. That there were diuers others about this time of that Religion here in England may appeare out of a book then compiled and entituled The complaint of the Ploughman Extat Martyrol p. 366. In France Philip the French King wrote a Letter of defiance against Boniface the 8. Nichol. Triuet William Nagaretta William Plesiano in the French Kings name solemnly protested against the Pope Martyr p. 314. The Nobles Prelates and Parliament of France censure the abuses of the Papacy ibid. p. 315. 318. 324. Rude Duke of Bourgundy about the yeare 1348 disswadeth the French King from permitting in his Realme the Popes Decrees and Decrerals whose sage counsell then giuen as yet remaineth among the French Kings Records Testatur Carol Molinaus In Germany Gulielmus Ockam about the yeare 1326 wrote in defence of the Emperour Ludouicus against the Pope who wrote also diuers other Books in which he confuteth the vsurped Supremacie of the Pope and entring into mention of the Popes Decrees extrauagant declareth how little regard is to bee giuen thereto Iohn Sleid. lib. 4. Vlricus Hangenor Treasurer to the Empeâ—or Ludâ—uicus publiquely opposed himselfe against the Popes proceedings Martyrol p 358. Gregorius Ariminensis about the yeare of our Lord 1346 maintained the same doctrine of grace and free will which the Protestants at this day doe and dissented from the Papists and Sophisters counting them worse then Pelagians Ex Tritheâ—io Petrus de Bruis who laid the Axe to the root of Popery and in set-Treatises opposed most of his documents Pap. Mess in Bonif. Luitpoldus Andreas Landensis In Italy Marsilius Patauinus in his booke entituled Defensor pacis held these conclusions 1 That the Pope hath none authority ouer other Bishops much lesse ouer the Emperour 2 That the Word of God ought to bee iudge in causes Ecclesiasticall 3 The Clergie and Pope ought to be subiect to Magistrates 4 That Christ is the head of the Church and that hee neuer appointed any Pope to be his general Vicar 5 That the mariage of Priests is
the Word then to the outward garnishing of Churches Zozomen lib. 5. c. 25. Jn Constantinople Nectarius a man of noble birth Bishop of Constantinople in whose time Auricular Confession was abrogated in Constantinople vpon occasion of Adulterie committed betweene a Penitentiarie and a woman confessing her sinnes vnto him Socrat. lib. 5. c. 19. The Councell of Chalcedon Where was the Emperor Martianus himselfe in person and of Bishops and reuerend Fathers 630. These in plaine tearmes gaue the Sea of Constantinople equall Priuiledges with Rome and in causes Ecclesiasticall to be aduanced as farre as Rome Concilium Chalced. Act. 16. In Armenia Letoius Bishop of Meletina in Armenia a bitter enemie to Monkish Profession whose societie hee was wont to call a Denne of Theeues Theodos. lib. 4. c. 11. Jn Affrica Optatus Milcuitanus who liued about this time and doth accord with vs first in the Scriptures that they are the Iudge of Controuersies Lib. 6. lib. 1. de Script secondly about the Sacraments Lib. 6. lib. 1. Cibus ibi est spiritualis potus spiritualis In the Point of Regeneration Lib. 2. 7. In the Point of the Catholike Church Lib. 2. aduersus Parmen Jn Europe Hilarius Bishop of Poitiers in France who tooke great paines to purge the Countrey of Fraunce from the Arrian Heresie and to withdraw the people from Superstition Ruffin lib. 1. cap. 31. Histor Magdeb. Cent. 4. cap. 10. Betweene the yeeres 300. and 350. Councels THe Councels of Ancyra Nice Tyrus Gangra in which was condemned the Heresie of Eustasius speaking against Marriage eating of Flesh c. Eliberis Carthage where the Bishop of Rome was stoutly withstood Antioch and Sardica were all summoned at the commaundement of the Emperours not of the Popes Tom. Concil Fathers Basilius Magnus Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia in his Writings hee much confirmeth our Faith and Doctrine and complaineth of the pride of the Westerne Churches and condemneth their affectation of the Supremacie Basil transmarin Epist 77. Epist 10. ad Eusamos Gregorius Nazianzenus who reuiued the true life of Preaching when the Truth of GOD seemed to haue beene buried and inueighed against the pride of Prelates seeking Supremacie ouer others Zozom lib. 7. cap. 5. Gregorius Nyssenus a married Bishop Niceph. Callist lib. 1. cap. 19. whos 's Writings albeit the Papists doe alleage in many places to patronize their doctrines and opinions yet beeing well considered they make nothing for them but rather much against them Vide Sculleti examen locorum ex Nysseno a Pontif. citat in medulla Patr. Macarius Aegyptius a learned Writer is altogether with vs in the point of Iustification Hom. 11. in the certaintie of Saluation Homil. 19. 20. against the Reall presence Hom. 27. against Purgatory Hom. 30 44. 22. against Free-will Hom. 2 27.15 46. Eusebius Caesariensis a learned man and writer of many Bookes agreeth with vs against the Papall Supremacie Lib. 2. de vit Const. 3. 37. about the Scriptures Lib. 5. Histor Eccles c. 14. about the Sacraments Lib. 1. demonst c. 10. li. 5. cap. 3. about Iustification Lib 1. Histor Eccles cap. 5. against Images Lib. 3. de praep Euang. against Popish Iniunctions of Fastings Lib. 5. Eccles Hist c. 23. Epiphanius borne in a little Village of Palestina called Barsanduce hee wrote much and in his Writings agreeth with vs concerning the Scriptures Lib. de mens and power of the Catholike Church Haeres 35. about Marriage and Virginitie Haeres 48. about Fasting Haeres 33. against inuocation of Saints Haeres 78 79. against Images Haeres 19. against the Masse Haeres 55. against Purgatorie Haeres 59. against celebrating of Priests Haeres 61. against Lay-Baptisme Haeres 76. Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria whose name was famous in the elder Church wrote much and agreeth therein with vs Against Traditions Epist de Synod Nicen. Decr. against Inuocation of Saints Epist ad Adelph against their seuen Sacraments Orat. 2. contra Arrian against Images Orat. contra Gentes against the Supremacie Epistol ad Solis and many other such like points Papâ—nutius a Bishop in a Towne of Thebaida himselfe an vnmarried man opposed himselfe in the Councell of Nice against the inhibition of Priests marriage and caused the same to bee stayed Socrat. lib. 1. c. 11. Lactantius Firmianus Didymus a Doctor of the Schoole of Alexandria Acholius Bishop of Thessalonica Osius Bishop of Corduba Asclepus in Gaza Philogonius Bishop of Antiochia Hermogenes Bishop of Caesarea James Bishop of Nisebis in Mesopotamia and diuers others Thus haue I shewed the fore-runners of our Religion aboue two hundred yeeres before Poperie began and the Professors of the same in the time of the Churches flourishing estate before the Church of Rome declined to that Apostasie in which now for these many yeeres it hath continued Whereby wee may discerne how impudent our Aduersaries the Papists are Campian rat 5. in challenging all the ancient Fathers as theirs and making no end of boasting of the Fathers Greg. Valenc tom 3. p. 291. one of them saith The Protestants in the Questions of Faith should enquire on what side the Fathers stand that it being knowne they might embrace the Doctrine which the Fathers of old iudged to be true Wee haue done as hee aduiseth Wee haue asked the Fathers and they haue told vs our Elders and they haue told vs That they haue professed and maintained the same Doctrine and Religion which wee professe True it is indeede wee dare not follow euery one of them in euerie step or tye our selues to euery one of their Opinions The Fathers themselues were men and beeing men might haue yea had their Errors Onely the Canonicall Authors as the Iesuit himselfe confesseth as being from aboue Heauenly and Diuine Greg. Valenc tom 3. p. 329 doe alwayes hold a perpetuall and stable constancie in their Writings But other holy Writers are inferior and humane failing sometimes and now and then contrarie to the course of Nature Epiph. de not bring foorth a Monster Origen taught many things against the Faith and mis-applyed many things in Scripture Epist ad Iub aduers Prax. August d. 9. Negare Cyprian held Rebaptization Tertullian Montanisme And which of them had not his faylings Augustine himselfe saith I cannot denie but that there are many things in my workes as there are also in the writings of mine Ancestors which iustly and with good discretion may be blamed The Fathers themselues haue denied what some of their Fathers haue held before them yea some of them vpon better consideration haue retracted their owne errors we therefore according to Marsilius Marsil Deâ—â— sor pacis p. 4â— his aduice receiue whatsoeuer they bring consonant to the Scripture but what they bring dissonant from it we reiect with reuerence It is a false slaunder therefore which the Iesuites and other such like Popish circumcellions buzze into the eares of their peruerted Proselites Bristo Mothâ— 14. That we
same Faith which wee professe by the Bohemians Waldenses c. alreadie hath beene made manifest But how long time is it I pray that the name Papist whereof of late they were ashamed and wherein they now so much glory was knowne or acknowledged in the world Act. 11.26 Optat. Mileuit lib. 2. cont Parm. or whence is it that leauing the auncient name of Christians they rather with the Donatists appropriate vnto themselues the name of Catholicks Doubtlesse howsoeuer they bragge and boast of Antiquity wee may apply that of Bildad vnto them They are but of yesterday Iob. 8.9 for how could a man know what it was to be a Papist or what was the body of Religion before the Councell of Trent had defined it Trent Councel concluded An. dom 1563. which was since Luthers time Let them shew where their Papall Supremacie was before the time of Pope Goodface the third or their Latine Seruice before the yere 680. Platina or their Romish Masse before Adrian the 1. Anno 780. Iacob de Vorag in vit Gregor Exposit Rom. ord ann 1215 1222. ex Act. Rom. Pontif. 1414. or their Agnus Dei before Pope Sergius an 700. or their Transubstantiation before the Councell of Lateran or their eleuation and adoration of the Sacrament before the time of Honorius the third or their eceiuing of the Communion in one kinde onely and the absolute forbidding of the contrary before the Councell of Constance Iohan. Scot. lib. 4. dist 17. artic 3. or their absolute necessity of Auricular Confession before Innocent the third Idem ibid. in his Councell of Lateran or the prohibition of Marriage to the Clergie before the same time I might instance in many other points of Poperie which howsoeuer they may carrie some shew and shadow of Antiquity yet being duly considered they will appeare to be but late inuentions peeced and patched together by their Popes as each of them in their succession was minded to adde something to make vp the full measure of the mysterie of Iniquity Neyther let them boast as of commonly they cracke of the ancient Church of Rome Rhom 〈◊〉 in Act. 1â— â— Idem in Eâ—â—â— 4.13 so famously renowned by the Writings of the Apostles and commended and appealed vnto by the auncient Fathers for the name and shew of the Romane Church See M. Fox his description of the diffâ—rence of the now Church of Rome and the old Actâ— and Monum first 26. pageâ— is but an emptie shew of Names and Titles this present Romane being in a manner wholly departed in the Questions controuerted from the auncient and retayneth nothing but the Title The true auncient and Apostolike Church of Rome so much commended by the Fathers and sought to by the World professed another kind of Faith then this doth and the same that we now defend against them That Church affected no such prowd and swelling Titles it vsurped no such transcendent Iurisdictions it obserued no such foolish Superstitions it maintained contrarie Doctrine to their now Errors To what purpose then should any sticke vpon the name of the Romane Church when the true Faith is changed Or what doe the Prerogatiues and Royalties of the auncient Church concerne this that is turned to another Religion Or who regardeth an House of stately Building or anticke memorie of auncient Antiquitie when the Plague hath infected it and Theeues possesse it Leaue therefore yee Romanists to cracke of your Antiquitie or to traduce vs of Noueltie wee may take vp the words of Nicephorus Concil Ephâ—â— sin pag. 307. the Patriarke of Constantinople in an Epistle to Leo Bishop of Rome Wee also haue the Name of Rome the â—diâ— and auncient Faith of Rome among vs being built vpon one and the same foundation of Faith in matter of Faith we follow them Wherefore let S. Paul glorie and reioice in vs also and ioyning new things with old and comparing vs in Doctrines and Preaching let him glorie in vs both alike for wee as well as they following the Doctrines and Institutions wherein wee are rooted are confirmed in the confession of our Faith wherein wee stand and reioyce c. As for you my poore seduced Countreymen who suffer your selues to be seduced and mis-led by these Popish Circumcellions take heed and beware how you fauour these Merchants of the Romish Strumpet who vnder fained pretences and subtile insinuations goe about to make merchandise of your soules 2. Pet. 2.5 These latter dayes saith the Apostle are perillous times and these Popish Priests and Iesuits I may say are perillous seducers 2. Tim. 3.1 6 7. They of this sort creepe into houses and lead captiue silly women laden with sinnes and led about with diuers Lusts euer learning and neuer able to come to the knowledge of the Truth Listen not vnto them It is not good for Eue to fall to conference with the Serpent Genes 3. no nor for Adam neyther to suffer Eue and the Serpents parley or to encline vnto them least hee also be partaker in the Transgression Consider what is the end they ayme at not Religion but the Soueraigntie of their high-towring Church not the Consciences of men yeelding to their Ceremonies and Superstitions will satisfie them vnlesse they haue their wills in ouer-ruling all and bringing them vnder their Antichristian Yoake How doe they disturbe Thrones and fill the World with Anarchie and Confusions and whose soules they should winne to God by ministring the Word and Sacraments their bloud they sacrifice to the Deuill by stirring them vp to Treason and Rebellion Beloued 1. Ioh. 4.1 beleeue not euery Spirit but trie the Spirits whether they be of God or no. A Foole saith Salomon beleeueth euery thing Prou. And surely it is their folly who suffer themselues to be seduced by giuing too easie credit to the slauering insinuations of these Popish Teachers and are hereby brought into a great dislike of our Church because they beleeue their words and doe not make search and enquirie after the truth of the same Beware least that dreadfull iudgement of God fall vpon you 2. Thess 2 10 11. Because they receiued not the knowledge of the Truth that they might be saued therefore God shall send them strong delusions that they should beleeue lyes You will say That you are no Changelings That yee are of the olde Religion That you keepe the olde Faith and will liue and dye in the same Religion which your fore-fathers professed Poore soules Popish Religion is not the oldest Religion but a late vpstart a Modell of Superstition your Popes Catholike Church is but an Impostume growne in the Church Wee confesse that for a long time the Christian World hath beene annoyed with it yet euen in the time and before the time of this declining from the Truth our Faith and Religion hath euer kept it selfe vnspotted The true cause why during the former ouer-clouding times of Poperie the Exercises
of our Religion haue beene neyther so frequent nor so publike as now it is eyther in place or persons was the persecution of Poperie and the generall corruption of the Papacie which as a Leprosie infected and as a Myst obscured the Times so that sometimes not the true beleeuers themselues such I meane as are come to our knowledge were void of error in euery point though they firmely held the foundation And if it pleased God in processe of time to giue more libertie to the persons and more puritie to the Doctrine why are wee vnthankfull and why should any enuie if the Truth hath growne more ripe in our Age And if there be any yet among vs I would to God there were not too many such who stand as Newters and lookers on not regarding any Religion nor caring to ioyne themselues to either side vntill they see the sequell and issue whether the Protestant or Popish Church is likeliest to be most praeualent To such I say as Elias said to the people of Israel How long halt yee betweene two opinions 1. King 18.21 If the Lord be God follow him But if Baall then follow him Let them consider and call to minde whither of the two Religions sauour more of grace and of the spirit of God whether doth attribute most to God whether hath beene most fauoured by God Let them consider the damnable positions the horrible combustions and hellish proiects of Poperie and the sauing counsels peaceable prosperity and heauenly blessings which haue accompanied ours let them as the Apostle counselleth proue all things 1. Thess 5.21 and hold fast what is good If they doubt whether of them carrieth greatest shew of either veritie or Antiquitie I say vnto them as it was said to St. Augustine at the time of his conuersion Tolle lege Take vp this booke and reade or rather as the Lord speaketh by his Prophet Ieremie stand in the waies and see Ierem. 6.16 Aske for the old paths where is the good way and walke therein and yee shall finde rest for your soules Lastly to the true members and vnseduced Protestants of our Church I say with the Apostle to the Corinthians Brethren you see your calling 1 Cor. 1 26.27â—â— albeit not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and weake things to confound the mightie c. yet some noble some learned some Worthies haue embraced the same Religion together with vs and that in all ages and times of the world What would wee haue what can wee desire more we haue Verity and Antiquitie for vs we haue the Patriarkes the Prophets and Apostles on our side we haue the company of innumerable Martyres who haue sealed the Truth thereof with their blood we haue the fellowship of many Churches in diuers Nations Being therefore Compassed about with so great a cloude of Witnesses Heb. 12.1 let vs follow the footsteps of those who haue walked before vs in this way of righteousnesse and runne with patience the race that is set before vs. What though Papists raue and rage and plot and seeke by all meanes to bring our Religion into disgrace yea If it were possible to cut of the name of Israel Psal 83.4 that it might be no more in remembrance Psal 81.12 Yet these aduersaries of the Lord shall be found lyers but the true Church of God shall endure for euer Consider what great things God hath done for vs and how mightily alwaies he hath defended and approued our Religion how miraculously did he preserue it manger all the furie of the Lyon and the wilde Boare of the Deuill and Antichrist euen in the time of their greatest persecutions how wonderfully hath he from time to time detected and defeated all plots and proiects conspiracies and trecheries of the enemies what strange deliuerances hath he giuen vnto vs By this wee may know that God fauoureth vs because our enemies preuaile not against vs. Psal 41.11 Psal 46.11 The God of Iacob is with vs the God of Hoasts is our refuge he hath giuen vnto vs a Dauid a man after his owne heart to rule ouer vs a Iehosophat whose heart is set to seeke the Lord a Iosias whose chiefest studie is to build vp Gods house and whose chiefest Title is to be the Defender of the Faith he hath taken away our feares by the happie returne of our most hopefull Prince redoubled our ioyes in his forward zeale for the furthering of true Religion he hath blessed vs with an Honourable assemblie of States in the high Court of Parliament and vnited their hearts and mindes to seâ—ke the promotion of his glory and the publike welfare of the Common-weale he hath stirred vp the hearts of all faithfull Subiects within this Iland to pray and cry Grace Zech. 4.7 Grace to that Parliamentarie assembly What now remaineth but that as the Apostle counselleth Wee stand fast in that libertie wherewith Christ hath made vs free Gal. 5.1 and as our Sauiour doth admonish vs that wee be faithfull to the death Reuel 2.10 constantly professing and religiously perseuering in that Religion which we haue learned out of the Scriptures and which hath beene practised so long agone in all Ages by so many Patriarkes Prophets Apostles Bishops Confessors and holy Martyrs That so wee may glorifie God and stop the mouth of the aduersarie and both by life and doctrine confound Poperie till that misterie of Iniquitie bee fully reuealed whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and destroy with the brightnesse of his comming which we beseech the Lord to hasten Euen so Come Lord Iesus come quickly Amen FJNIS