a Queene and a Ladye and the mother of God This new EVE is called the mother of life she remaineth replenished with the first fruites of immortall life aboue all liuing creatures We doe call her therefore againe and againe and euermore euery way most blessed To thee we cry bee mindfull of vs O most holy Virgin which euen after thy deliuery remainedst a Virgin Haile MARY ful of grace our Lorde is with thee The holy orders of all Angels and men doe call thee blessed Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruite of thy wombe make intercessioÌ„ for vs O Mistres Lady Queen mother of God S. GREGORY NAZIANZEN In. tragoed Christ pa. tiens O ter beata Mater O lux Virginum Quae templa caeli lucidissima incolis Mortalitatis liberata sordibus Ornata iam immortalitatis es stola Meis benignam ab alto aurem exhibe verbis Measque Virgo suscipe obsecro preces O mother thrise happy and light of Virgins pure Inhabiting the Temples bright of heauenly globe Thou now from mortall filth exempted secure Of immortallity art decked with the robe Yeeld courteous audience from high to what I say And entertaine my sutes O Virgin I thee pray Serm. 2. de Annun S. AVGVSTINE holy MARY succour the miserable help the faint harted cherishe the sorrowful pray for the people bee a meane for the Cleargie and make intercession for the deuout woman kinde Let all feele thy helpe whosoeuer doe celebrate thy Commemoration Ser. de laud. Mariae FVLGENTIVS MARY was made the windowe of heauen because by her god gaue the true light vnto the worlde MARY was made the ladder of heauen because by her God descended down to earth that by her also men may ascend vnto heauen MARY was made the restorer of women because by her they are knowne to bee exempted from the ruine of the first curse Serm. 2. de adu lege euÌ„dem ho. 2. sup Missus est in illud Apoc. SignuÌ„ magnum apparuit Et serm de Nat. Virg. S. BERNARD The kinglie virgine is the very way by the which our Sauiour came vnto vs proceeding out of her wombe as a Bridegroome out of his chamber By thee let vs haue accesse to thy Sonne O blessed inueÌ„trix of grace bringer forth of life and mother of Saluation that by thee he receiue vs who by thee was giuen vnto vs. THE THIRD CHAPTER OF CHARITY AND THE TEN COMMAVNDEMENTS 1 Is it sufficient for a Christian to be instructed in the doctrine of faith hope IT is very necessary that hee which hath attained vnto Faith Hope be indued with Charity also For of these three vertues Saint PAVL teacheth iointly thus Nowe there (a) 1. Cor. 13 13. remaineth saith he Faith Hope Charity these three but the greater of these is Charitie Great vndoubtedly is faith which may (b) 1. Cor. 13 2. Mat. 11 23. Mat. 7 22. suffice to moue mountains and worke miracles Great also is Hope a certaine (c) 1. Thes 5 8. Eph. 6 17. Heb. 6 19. helmet Ancour of saluation which setting before vs the goodnesse of God the greatnesse of rewarde doth afforde both effectual comfort to them that labour a singular confidence to them that pray But greatest of all is Charity the (d) Prosp l. 3 de vita coÌ„t ca. 13 15. Aug. in Ps 47. tract 5. ep Io. eâ—ch c. 117. ser 53. de temp Prince of all vertues which knoweth neither measure nor ende nor forsaketh them that die being stronger than death it selfe without which in a ChristiaÌ„ there may be indeed both Faith Hope but (e) Aug 15. de Trin. c. 18 they cannot be sufficient to the leading of a good happy life For which cause S. IOHN saith He (f) 1. Io. 3 14 that doth not loue abideth in death although in the meane season he beleeue and hope as the example of the foolishe Virgins in the Gospell (g) Mat. 25 11. Aug. ser 23. de verb. do c. 4. 8. Mat. 22 36. â—uc 10 27. Mar. 12 30. Aug. lib. 3. doc cap. 10. doth plainlie declare vnto vs. 2 What then is Charity A Vertue infused by God by which God is syncerely loued for himselfe and our neighbour for Gods sake For God is chiefely to bee loued in al things (a) Bern. de dilig Deo aboue al thinges and for himselfe alone as alone being the most soueraigne and eternall good which only satisfieth our mindes whose loue (b) 1. Cor. 10 31. Col. 3 17. honour ought to bee the beginning and finall ende both of our wil and of al our workes Then for (c) Aug. ho. 38 ex 50. ca. 2. seq Gods sake must we loue our neighboure that is to say (d) Aug. in Ps 118. concione 8. ser 53. 59. de temp euery man without exception For asmuch as wee be al neighbours amongest our selues linked together with a great affinitie both in regarde of the same humane nature common to all the ehildren of ADAM also by reason of Gods grace and euerlasting glory whereof al that wil may bee partakers 3 Howe many precepts of Charity be there IN substance two whereof the first of louing God is thus propounded in the old newe Lawe Thou (a) Deut. 6 4 Mat. 22 36. Mar. 12 30. Luc. 10 27. Greg. lib. 10. mor. c. 6. 7 shalt loue the Lord thy God from thy whole heart with thy whole soule with thy whole minde with all thy strength This is the greatest the first Commaundement And the second is like to this thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe On these two commandements dependeth the whole Lawe and the Prophets This Charity is the (b) Rom. 13 11. fulnesse of the Law summe of Iustice that is to say the (c) Col. 3 14. band of perfection Charity I say froÌ„ a (d) 1. Tim. 1 5. pure hart a good coÌ„scieÌ„ce a faith not fained 4 Howe doth true Charity shew it selfe THe proofe of (a) Greg. ho. 30. in EuaÌ„g loue Charitie is to performe the same in deeds and to obserue Gods Commaundements Whoreupon Saint IOHN also the beloued of Christ saith (b) 1. Io. 5 3. This is the charity of God that we keepe his Commaundements his Commaundementes are not heauie And againe (c) 1. Io. 2 4. Hee that saith hee knoweth God and keepeth not his Commaundements is a liar and the trueth is not in him But he that keepeth his word in him in very deed the charity of God is perfited In this we knowe that we be in him And Christ himselfe also teacheth If you (d) Io. 14 15 loue me keepe my Commaundements He that hath my Commaundements and keepeth them he it is that loueth me And he that loueth me shall bee loued of my Father and I
(d) Eph. 5 11. with the vnfruitfull workes of darkenes but rather reproue them Then that also of the same Apostle Withdrawe (e) 2. Thess 3 6. your selues from euery brother walking inordinately and not according to the Tradition which they haue receiued of vs. 2 How many in number are these alien sinnes NIne as they are for the moste parte committed nine manner of waies to wit by councel by commanding by consent by prouocation by praise or flatterie by silēce by winking or Indulgence by participation in the fault and by wicked defending or maintaining the same Eccli 27 28. 6 7. 8 20. 37 7.9 Iob. 5 13. 12 13.16 18 5.7 Esa 19 11.13 Psal 7 16. 9 16. Prou. 26 27. Eccles 10 8. 3 When is an alien sinne committed by Councell AT such time certes as we are the authors and instrumentes of euill counsell which others doe or maye followe Let CAIPHAS be an example (a) Io. 11 49 who by his coūsell incensed and prouoked the Senate of the Iewes to worke the death of Christ But commended on the contrarie parte is IOSEPH of Aramathia and is called a good and iust man because he had not consented (b) Luc. 23 50. Psal 1 1. Gen. 49 5. Iob. 21 16. to the counsell and actes of them̄ to wit of the high Preistes and Pharisies wickedlye conspiring to put Christ to (c) Io. 11 53. Mat. 26 3. death Of the same sorte of men was that (d) Act. 19 24. 2. Reg. 10 3. 16 20. 17 1.5 3. Reg. 12 4. 21 25. 2. Par. 22 3. 25 16.20 1. Esd 4 5 Hest 5 10. Dan. 6 5. 1. Mac. 1.12 2. Mach. 1 11. 4 32. Act. 14 18. DEMETRIVS who with other Artificers for the tendering of his owne lucre gaine filled in a maner the whole citie of the EPHESIANS with a greate tumulte and sedition against S. PAVL his doctrine Herin also did offend that infamous (e) Mar. 6 24 Mat. 14 8. HERODIAS Kinge HERODS aduoutres For her dauncing daughter by her counsell and persuasion did wickedly obtaine the bodiles heade of the glorious S. IHON Baptist which she cruelly before had requested 4 When is commanding an alien sinne 1. Reg. 22 17. Iudith 2 5. Hest 3 12 Dan. 3 5. 6 16.1 Mach. 1 43. 2. Mach. 6 1. Mar. 6 27. Act. 23 2. VVHen by our decree commission or commaundement any wrong doth redound to our neighbour or any euill whatsoeuer is committed In this manner DAVID the King killed innocent VRIAS (a) 2. Reg. 11 15. not certes with his owne or with his seruantes handes but working it and charging it by letter that he should be slaine in the battaile And PILATE the President (b) Io. 19 16 Luc. 23 25. was giltie of Christs death because for the fauour of the Iewes although otherwise after a manner vnwilling he adiudged him and deliuered him ouer by his authoritie to be crucified So did PHARAO (c) Exod 1 16. and HERODE (d) Mat. 2 16. binde them selues with a monstrous crime whē they made the Tirannicall lawe of murdering the Infantes of the Hebrues But (e) Esa 10 1. Mat. 15 3. Mar. 7 9. woe be vnto them that make vniust lawes Leu 20 4. Num. 16 24 26. Iudith 8 9. Hest 14.15 Luc. 11.47 5 When doth consent make vs guiltie of an alien sinne VVHen that which is wickedlye donne by others hath as it were our voice to go with it or is at the least in secret sorte (a) Iren. l. 4. cap. 46. by vs approued So sinned SAVL consentinge (b) Act. 7 60 to the deathe of the Protomartyr Saint STEVEN Also herein offended aboue fortie (c) Act. 23 12. men of the Iewes who by vowe bound armed themselues to put S. PAVL to death Finallye herein offended the Citizens of Hierusalē (d) Mat. 27 20. Mar. 15 11. giuing their voices to their Magistrates that Christ might suffer death so that S. PETER for that cause vpbraiding them saide The author (e) Act. 3 15 2 23. of life you killed Wherfore is that sentence of S. PAVL to be noted Not (f) Ro. 1 32. only they which doe euill thinges but they also which consent vnto the doers are worthy of death And hereunto may be referred that which we reade in S. CYPRIAN Hee is (g) ep 51. quae est Cleri Rom. ad Cypr. not free from wickednes that gaue commandement to haue it accomplishede nor hee cleare from crime whoe notwithstandinge hee neuer committed the same yet geuethe his consent that it shall be otherwise giuen out and publikely registred 6 When doe we contract an alien sinne by prouocation 1. Reg. 1 6. Psal 105 16 2. Mach. 14 27. Gal. 5 15.26 Eph. 6 4. Col. 3 21. VVHen we doe wittinglye prouoke another to anger reuenge blasphemie crueltie or other such like vices whether it bee done by worde or deede or any other meanes howsoeuer As when IOBS (a) Iob. 2 9. wife wantonly scorning her most patient husband did also persuade him so much as lay in her to blaspheme God And Tobies wife (b) Tob. 2 15. 3 7. as troublesome as the other often molesting exasperating her husband with her reprochfull speaches brought the matter to this passe that the afflicted man was constrained to bewaile his domesticall iniurie with sighes and teares and praiers vnto Almightie God But Ecclesiasticus admonisheth the contrarie saying Keepe (c) Eccli 28 10. Pro. 15 18. 18 6. 22 10. et 26 17. 29 22. 30 33. thy selfe from contention and thou shalt diminishe sinnes For an angry man doth kindle contention a man a sinner will molest his frendes and in the middest of them that are in peace soweth enmitie And so hath Salomon saide An euill man (d) Pro. 17 11. 3 30. Esa 33 1. alwaies seeketh chidings but the cruell Angell shal be sent against him 7 When are we spotted with an alien sinne by praise or flatterie Pro. 24 24.28 27 2.5.6 28 23 Psal 140 5. Esa 5 20. Chrys ho 2. de Dauid et Saule Cyp. de laps Basil hō in Psal 61. Aug. in Psa 134. VVHē we cōmend any man in misdeeds or lewd behauiour or as though the thing were very well done we giue a spurre to him that runneth amisse that he may holde on his wicked course But woe be vnto them (a) EZech. 13 18. that sowe coushens vnder euery elbow and doe make pillowes vnder the heade of euery age to take soules as the Prophet saith And into this vice do preachers (b) Hier. 14 13. 23 15 17. 27 9 28 15. 29.8 Thren 1 14 Mich. 3 5. 3. Reg. 22 6 sometime fall Magistrats naughtely flattering the common people whilest they doe openly fauour approue their licentiousnesse And therefore rightly saith ESAIE O my people
(c) Esa 3 12 9 15. 30 10 they that call thee happy these are they that deceiue thee and bring to nought the way of thy steppes For which cause S. PAVL cōmandeth vs to shunne those doctours that by sweete speeches (d) Ro. 16 18. 2. Pet 2 1.12.14 Hiero. l.c. aduer Pelag c. 9. l. 2. aduer Iouin c. 19. and benedictions doe seduce the hartes of innocents For because the sinner is (e) Psal 1 24 54 22. Pro. 1 10 16 29. 17 15. 29 5. Eccle 7 6. Hier. 9 3.8 praised in the desires of his soule the wicked man is accounted happy the sinner will prouoke our Lorde as the Kingly Prophet testifieth 8 When doth an alien sinne fall vpon vs through our silence Bern. de nat Ioan. Bapt. Greg. 2. part past c. 4. Aug. ep 109 et ho. 7. ex 50 Prosp lib. l. de vit cont cap. 20. Isid de sum bon l. 3. c. 44 45.46 VVHen our vnseasonable silence bringeth detriment to our subiect or to any other person For example sake if by office it belong vnto vs to teach admonishe or correcte our brother or the wholle people and we omitte the same without iust cause when we may do good For which cause our Lorde by ESAIE testifieth to euery one that preacheth Crie (a) Esa 58 1. Hier. 23 22. 26 2. 50 2. Ionae 1 2. 1. Cor. 9 16. doe not cease as a trumpette exalte thy voice shew vnto my people their wickednesse and to the house of Iacob their sinnes Heare moreouer the danger they stand in who are not without cause called dumme dogges (b) Esa 56 10. not able to barke If (c) Ezech. 3 17. 33 7. ibid. Hier. Greg. ho. 11. in Ezech. Act. 20 18. Esa 6 5. Hest 4 13. when I saye to a wicked man saith our Lorde thou shalt die the death thou doe not warne him and speake to him that he may forsake his wicked way and liue the wicked man himselfe shall die in his iniquitie but I will require his bloode at thy hand So necessarie a thing it is to be obserued which S. PAVL not without great protestation doth require Preach the worde (d) 2. Tim. 4 2. Tit. 1 9.13 2 15. Chrys ho. 6. in epist ad Phil. vrge in season out of season reproue beseech rebuke in all patience and doctrine and againe in an other place Them that sinne (e) 1. Tim. 5 20. Leu. 19 17. Aug. serm 15. cap. 7. de verb. Dom. serm 16. cap. 4 7.8 reproue before all that the rest also may haue feare Amb. ser 8. in Psal 118. Orig. ho. 9. in Hierem. Hieron ad Ripar ep 53 Aug. in Psal 50. ser 15 de verb. Do. Chry. orat 1 con Iudaeos 9 When are we by winking or indulgence entangled with alien sinnes SO often as that thing which by our power or authoritie may ought to be amended punished we notwithstāding suffer to go vnpunisht to waxe worse worse Herein doe Magistrates offend when they beare the sworde (a) Ro. 13 4. Sap. 6 3. Psal 2 10. Aug. 2. retr c. 5. ep 48.50.204 tract 11. in Euang Ioan. Bern. ser 66. in Cant. in vaine and are not as they are called Gods ministers and reuengers vnto wrath to those that behaue them selues wickedly or seditiously This was the sinne (b) 1. Reg. 15 9. Iud. 20 13. Nū 25 4 of King SAVL when contrarie to the commandement of God he spared his enemies the Amalechites The same sinne was also incurred by King ACHAB when he receiued into fauour BENADAB the Kinge of Syria for which cause he did not escape the seuere sentence of the Prophet giuing this threate This saith (c) 3. Reg. 20 42. our Lorde because thou hast dismissed out of thy hand a man worthy of death thy life shall be for his life and thy people for his people Heereunto may be referred that which the Apostle willeth the Corinthians Take (d) 1. Cor. 5 6.13 Exod. 22 18 Deut. 13 1.6.12 17 12. 18 20 3. Reg. 18 19.40 Hier. in cap. 5. ad Gal. Greg. lib. 32. ep 31. away the euill from among your selues Know you not that a litle leauen corrupteth the wholle paste purge the olde leauen Secondly heerein doe (e) Aug. in Psal 50. Greg. 4. dial c. 18. Chrys ho. 9. in 1. ad Tim. Ephes 6 4. Heb. 12 7. Pro. 13 18.24 22 15.6 23 13. 29 15 17.21 Eccli 7 25. et 22 3.4.5 30 1. fathers and mothers maisters and maistreses offend whilest they with a certaine dissembling fauourable indulgence doe marre those in bringing them vp that are committed to their charge by their negligence and sloth doe suffer them to fall into great hazarde danger So wee reade the sonnes of HELI (f) 1. Reg. 3 11. 4 17. 3. Reg. 1 6. to haue bin depraued through the default only of their fathers indulgēce who for that cause was greuously punished for his too much lenity Heereunto may also be added that sinne which is commonly called the omission of brotherly correction (g) Pro. 9 7. 15 5.10.12 24 14 15. 25 12. 27 5.6 28 23. 29 1. Eccles 7 6. Eccli 7 25. 10 28 11 7. 19 13.17 20 1.4 Psal 140 5. Col. 1 28. 1. Thes 5 14 2. Thes 3 15 1. Tim. 5 20 2 Tim. 2 25 4 2. Tit. 1 9.10 2 15. admonition or reprehension For asmuch as Christ hath warned vs to correct our brother once and twice and the third time that we may winne (h) Mat. 18 15. him when he sinneth Although some doe distinguish betweene this manner of omission and the former sufferance which wee spake of making them two different kinds of alien sinnes 10 How doe we contract an alien sinne by participation Tob. 2 21. Pro. 1 14. 29 24. Num. 16 26 Eccli 5 1. 2 Par. 20 36 Greg. Turō in glo Conf. c. 36. 71. Et lib. 1. de glor Mart. c. 38.72 79. lib. 2. cap. 13.14.15.16 17. 20. Theod. li. 3. hist c. 11. 12. Vict. l. 1. persecu Ios 7 24. Dan. 5 23. 2. Mach. 3 24. 5 15. 9 5. 1. Mach. 6 12. THen espeacially when we are partners in gaine with theeues extortioners also when we doe wittingly togither with others chalenge or retaine goods vniustly gotten or which any way doe belong to other men and then moreouer when we are enriched with the spoile of others And heereunto semeth to belong that which the Psalmist saith to runne with the very theeues (a) Ps 49 18. Aug. in Psal 129. themselues and to haue portion with the aduoutrers This did ESAIE obiect vnto the people of the Iewes Thy (b) Esa 1 23. Princes be vnfaithfull companions of theeues all doe loue gifts followe rewardes
the Aspe shutting their eares against the sweete melodie of the sounde doctrine of the Church they seeme to say Departe thou (f) Iob. 21 14. from vs and we will not haue the knowledge of thy waies which is nothing else then as S. PAVL speketh According (g) Ro. 2 4. to their hardnes and impenitent harte to heape to themselues wrath in the day of wrath and of the reuelation of the iust iudgement of God For as SALOMON also teacheth To a man (h) Pro. 29 1. Bern. ser 42. in Cant. that with a hard necke contemneth him that correcteth him a soddaine distruction shall come vpon him and healthe shall not follow him 8 When is a sinne of impenitency committed Aug. de verb Do. ser 21. cap. 12. 13. ep 50. ad Bonif. Gelas in tomo de anarhematis vinculo VVHen a man without anie end or measure of his sins which truely hee shoulde washe away by holesome Penance resolueth moreouer that neuer hee will doe any Penance at al. Of this kind of persons who are such desperate and pittifull sinners and so will remaine both their life their death is most (a) Psal 33 22. abominable for asmuch as if not in wordes yet in deed they seeme to say (b) Esa 28 15. 3 8.9 Psal 51 3.7 Pro. 2 14. We haue entered into league with death and with hell wee haue made a pact And of these also may that saying bee vnderstoode which S. IOHN auoucheth There (c) 1. Io. 5 16 Aug. de corr gra c. 12. 1. retract cap. 19. is a sinne to death for that I say not that anie man aske Thus much concerning the sins against the holy-Ghost which are doubtlesse most grieuous which Almighty God either neuer or verie hardly doth pardon For which cause we ought often to garde our selues to confirme others against the same that we may obserue that saying * Ephes 4 30. Cōtristate not (d) 1. Thess 5 19. extinguishe not the spirite of God This (e) Ps 94 8. day if you heare his voice harden not your hearts Let (f) Heb. 3 13. none of you be obdurate with the fallacie of sinne For (g) Eccli 3 7.27 an harde heart shall bee in euill case at the last Nowe therefore let vs come to those sins which are also not a little hainous and are wonte to be called sinnes that cry vnto Heauen OF SINNES THAT CRY VNTO HEAVEN 1 What sinnes are those that are saide to crie vnto Heauen THose Aug. in En. c 30. l. ann in Iob. c. 30. l. 1. locutionis de Genes quaest 5. super Exod. Greg. 3. par past adm 32. in 2. Psal poenit which notably aboue others are knowne to haue a manifest and exceeding wickednesse doe singularly purchase to those which cōmit thē Gods indignation vengeance Of this sort there are four nūbred in holy scripture to wit wilful (a) Gē 4 10. Murder (b) Gē 18 20 Sodomie (c) Ex. 22 23 Oppression of the Poore defrauding (d) Deut. 24 15. Iac. 5 4. the Laboring mans hiere 2 Howe doth the Scripture teach that wilfull murther is reuenged IN most grieuous manner doubtlesse Vide Conc. Ancyr c. 22. Conc. Epaun ca. 31. Tribur c. 54 sequ as Almighty God sheweth in these wordes wherein hee rebuketh CAIN the first man-flear (a) Gē 4 10. Amb. l. 2. de Cain Abel cap. 9. What hast thou done saith he the voice of the bloude of thy brother crieth to me from the earth Now therfore shalt thou be cursed vpon earth And in another place Gods owne voice doth testifie (b) Gen. 9 6. Ex. 21 12.14 Leuit. 24 17 Num. 35.16.20 Deut. 19 11 1. Io. 3 15. Whosoeuer shall shed mans blood his blood shall be shed also For to the image of God was man made The kingly Psalmist singeth Men (c) Ps 54 24. of blood shall not liue halfe their daies For this is a very heinous wickednesse he doth a most horrible iniurie to his neighbour that bereueth him of his life without lawfull (d) Aug. l. 22 contr Faust cap. 70. auctoritie For which cause Christ himselfe saith also (e) Mat. 26 52. Apoc. 13 10. All that take the sword shall perish with the sworde 3 And what is extant in holy scripture touching the sinne of Sodome and the punishments thereof THe men of Sodome saith the scripture (a) Gen. 13 13. were very naught and sinners before God too too much This horrible and abominable sin (b) 2. Pet. 2 6. S. PETER S. PAVL (c) Rom. 1 24. 1. Tim. 1 10 Ephes 5 5. Iudic. 19 22 20 46. doe reproue yea nature her selfe doth abhorre and the scripture also doth declare the greatnesse of so foule a wickednes in these words The crie (d) Gen. 18 20. of the Sodomites and the Gomorians is multiplied and their sinne is aggrauated too too much For which cause the Angels doe speake thus vnto the iust man LOTH who did greatly abhorre from the outragious filthines (e) 2. Pet. 2 6 of the Sodomites (f) Gē 19 13 We will destroy this place because the cry of them hath increased before our Lorde who hath sent vs to destroy them Therefore our Lorde (g) Ibid. Sap. 10 6. Deut. 29 23 Iudae ver 7. Gen. 13 10. vide Greg. li. 14. mor. c. 10 Aug. l. 16. de ciu cap. 30. Tert. in apo aduers gentes ca. 40. in Sod ca. 4. rained downe vpon Sodome Gomorrha brimstone and fire from our Lorde out of heauen and ouerthrewe those Cities and all the Countrie about Neither doth the scripture leaue vntouched the causes which moued the Sodomites and may also moue others to this so greeuous a sinne For thus we read in EZECHIEL (h) Ezec. 16 49. Behold this was the iniquitie of Sodome thy sister Pride fulnes of bread and aboundance and the idlenesse of her her daughters and they did not stretch their hand to the needy poore And of this vice which can neuer be sufficiently detested are they guiltie who doe not feare to breake the lawe of God yea the lawe of nature written in Leuiticus which is this (i) Leuit. 18 22. Deut. 27 21 vide Chrys ho. 4. in ep ad Rom. Tert. in l. de pudicit c. 4. Aug. lib. 3. conf cap. 8. ep 109. Cum masculo non commiscearis coitu foemineo quia abominatio est Cum omni pecore non coibis nec maculaberis cumeo Which sin if it be committed we are admonished (l) Leuit. 20 13.15 Exo. 22 19. Ioel. 3 3. in the same place that the very earth is polluted with such horrible abominable lustes that Gods wrath is very much prouoked against the people and (k) L. Cum vir nubit C. ad legē Iul. de adult that the crime is
to be punished with death For which cause S. PAVL doth not once only rebuke the liers (m) 1. Cor. 6 9. Rom. 1 24. 1. Tim 1 10 Gal. 5 10.11 with mankinde And he condemneth also vncleane and effeminate persons of which one was Onan (n) Gen. 38 9. Hier in cap. 5. epist ad Ephes sonne of Iudas who could not escape the present reuenge of God for that he sinned against his owne body and worse then any beast would violate the honestie and order of nature 4 What doth the scripture propose touching the oppression of the poore Thou shalt not make sad the stranger saith our Lord neither shalt thou (a) Exod. 22 21. Deut. 15 9. 24 10. Eccli 35 16. Hier. 21 12. 22 3. Mal. 3 5. 2. Reg. 12 1. afflict him for you your selues were strangers in the land of Egipt Yee shall not hurte the widdow the fatherlesse If you doe hurte them they will cry out vnto me and I will heare their cry and my fury shall take indignation and I will strike you with the sworde your wiues shall be widdowes and your children Orphanes For which cause the Egiptians were (b) Exod. 7. sequent scourged with so manie plagues and with their most cruell King and Tirant PHARAO who spared not to kil the very Infants (c) Exod. 1 8 of the Hebrues were finally (d) Ex. 14 27 drowned because of their cruelty more then barbarous against the Israelites I haue seene saith our Lorde the affliction (e) Exod. 3 7 of my people in Egipt and I haue hearde their cry because of the hardnes of those that are ouerseers of the workes knowing their griefe I came downe to deliuer them out of the handes of the Egiptians For this cause doth our Lorde threaten by ESAIE the Prophet Woe (f) Esa 10 1 Deut. 27 19 Iob. 24 1. Mat. 23 14. they that make vniust lawes writing haue written vniustice that they might oppresse the poore in iudgement and doe violence to the cause of the humble of my people that widdowes might be their pray and that they might spoile the fatherlesse And in the same Prophet there is extant this complaint of cruell and vniust Magistrates Thy Princes (g) Esa 1 23. Hier. 5 28. Zach. 7 9. Psal 93 3. Amos. 5 11. are Infidels companions of theeues all doe loue bribes they follow after rewardes They do not giue iudgement to the fatherlesse and the cause of the widdowe doth not enter in vnto them Againe their (h) Esa 3 12.14 Collectours haue spoiled my people And there is no doubt but that Cities Prouinces by reason of this abominable sinne which is committed by tirannicall Magistrates are oftentimes brought into extreame danger 5 What finally doth the scripture teach cōcerning the withholding or diminishing of the labourers wages VVE reade in the Apostle S. IAMES how vehemently he doth vpbraide riche men with their cruell sparing and egregious wickednesse in defrauding poore labourers (a) Iac. 5 4. Beholde the hiere of the workemen that haue reaped your feeldes which is defrauded by you crieth And their cry hath entered into the eares of the Lorde of Sabaoth And (b) Eccli 34 25 7 22. Ecclesiasticus writeth in this manner The breade of the needy is the life of the poore man he that defraudeth him is a man of blood He that taketh awaie the bread in sweate as he that killeth his neighbour He that sheddeth bloode and he that defraudeth the hired man are brethren Therefore it is decreed by the law of God Thou shalt not deny the (c) Deut. 24 14. Leuit. 19 13 Tob. 4 15. Mal. 3 5. hiere of thy poore needie brother or of the stranger that abideth with thee in the land and is within thy gates but the very same day thou shalt render to him the price of his labor before the sunsette because he is poore and thereby he sustaineth his life least he cry against thee to our Lord it be reputed to thee for a sinne 6 To what ende is all this discourse of sinnes to be referred and what is the vse and commoditie thereof THis discourse belongeth to the first parte of Christian Iustice which consisteth in knowing and fleeing of euils And the vse commoditie thereof is rightlye to discerne and being discerned vtterly to eschew those thinges which are verely euels contrary to God pernitious vnto men and if in case any of them be committed then diligentlie to endeuour to purge the same Heereby we learne also how a wise man differeth from a foole a iust man from a wicked person For a wise man (a) Pro. 14 16. feareth and declineth frō euill but a foole leapeth ouer and is confident For (b) Pro. 18 2 a foole doth not receiue the words of wisdome except thou speake those thinges which his hearte is sette vpon as witnesse the SALOMON who also writeth thus The pathes of iust (c) Pro. 4 18 persons as a bright shining light proceedeth and encreaseth euen vnto a perfect day the way of the wicked is darke and obscure they know not where they fall Many certes are (d) Aug. de gra lib. arb cap. 3. lib 3. de lib. arb cap. 22. Bern. epi. 77. ad Hugon Chrys hom 26. in epist ad Rom. shamefully ignorāt of those pernitious plagues of the mind the sinnes that we haue declared others althoughe they know them neuer so well yet doe they not auoide and detest them But worst of all are others who are obdurate (e) See before of obstinacie Aug. in Enc. cap. 80. with the custome of sinne of which kinde it is thus said A wicked (f) Pro. 18 3 man when he is come into the bottome of sinnes contemneth but shame and reproch doth followe him And this kinde of men doth contemne those thinges espeaciallye which Christian Iustice dothe require not only for the marking and discerning of vices but also for the necessary auoiding and purging of the same OF THE PVRGING OF SINNES Conc. Trid. sess 5. can 3. ses 6. cap. 2. 7. 1 And by what meanes are sinnes purged HEere first of all it is out of controuersie that Christ is vnto vs a (a) Ro. 3 24. 1. Io. 2 1. 4 10. 1 7. propitiatour and that Lambe (b) Io. 1 36. Mat. 1 21. 1. Cor. 1 30. 1. Tim. 2 5. Heb. 1 3. 9 12. Act. 4 12. of God that taketh awaie the sinnes of the world who only could deserue for vs remission of sinnes make purgation of the same Then is it most certaine that God doth purifie mennes hearts by Faith as (c) Act. 15 9. Heb. 11 1.6 Gal. 2 16. 3 8. Rom. 3 24. Luc. 7 50. Ephes 2 8. Trid. sess 6. cap. 8. S. PETER saith because that without Faith which is the dore and foundation of mans saluation none can obtain or hope for
workes of Christi an Iustice procure VEry singuler certes and manifolde both in this life and in the life to come For hereunto belongeth that speach of S. PAVL Pietie (a) 1. Tim. 4. Pro. 11 17 18. 2. Par. 15 7. Mat. 10 41. 19 21.29 Gen. 12 1. 15 1. Eccli 12 2. 36 18. Hier. 31 16. is profitable to al things hauing promise of the life that now is of the life to come Then in an other place we finde it written (b) Sap. 3 10.17 Mal 3 14. 1. Cor. 15 58. Heb. 6 10. Of good labours there is glorious fruite 1 For first these workes proceding frō a liuely faith that is from a faith working by (c) Gal. 5. charitie are not only signs of Christian vocation but do also cōfirme make sure the same in vs. And therefore S. PETER the Apostle who in euery place exhorteth to good woorkes hath added this also (d) 2. Pet. 1. Cypr. ep 57. ad Corn. in fine Brethren labour the more that by good workes you may make sure your vocation election for doeing these thinges you shall not sinne at any time 2 Secondly they doe (e) 2. Cor. 9 10. Col. 1 10. 1. Pet. 2 2. augment grace in the beleeuers and doe perfitte sanctificatiō (f) 2. Cor. 7 1. Ro. 6 22. Apo. 22 11. Eccli 18 22. Trid. sess 6 cap. 10. as witnesseth the Apostle In so much that hereupon Saint IAMES also affirmeth that faith which doth worke with workes is also consummate by the same (g) Iac. 2 22. workes 3 Thirdly they engender (h) Io. 3 20. 1. Io. 4 17. Iac. 2 25. Gal. 6 4. a cōfidence of a good conscience and doe the more incourage to pray to obtaine any thing at Gods hand for it is written Almes shall be a great (i) Tob. 4. confidence before the high God to all them that doe the same And againe My (k) 1. Io. 3. Io. 15 7. Aug. in Praef in Psal 31. dearest if our heart doe not reprehend vs we haue confidence towards God And whatsoeuer we shall aske wee shall receiue of him because we keepe his commaundements and doe those things which are pleasing before him There is an example extant in EZECHIAS the King who hauing confidence in a good conscience and beeing approued therein by Gods owne voice said I beseech (l) Esa 38. 4. Reg. 20 3. Psal 7 9. 16 1. 17 21 25. et 25 1. 34 24. 131 1. thee o Lorde remember I pray thee how I haue walked before thee in truth and in a perfect harte and haue done that which is good in thy sight 4 Finally they doe cause that labouring in the (m) Mat. 20. Aug. tra 67. in Io. Greg. l. 4. dial c. 35 vineyarde of Christ we may receiue the day penie to wit the promised rewarde of life euerlasting and the crowne (n) 2. Tim. 4.8 Iac. 1 12. of Iustice which keeping the commandementes of God in the (o) Mat. 19 17. Church we doe in (p) Io. 3 21. 15 2.4 Christ (q) Eccli 16 15. Heb. 13 16. Sap. 3 5.6 2. Thess 1 5.6 Apoc. 3 4.5 Trid. sess 6. cap. 16. Cyp. de vnit Eccles Aug. ep 105. l. demorib Eccles Cathol cap 25. deserue Therefore our Lorde (r) Mat. 20. Sap. 5 16. saith Call the worke foulkes paie thē theire hiere Holy DAVID saith Thy (s) Psal 18. Heb. 11 6. Luc. 14 14. Col. 3.24 Ephes 6 8. 2. Cor. 4 17. Aug. in Psal 93. seruant kepeth them to wit the commandementes of God In keeping them much retribution And againe I haue (t) Psal 118. Mat. 19 12. Aug. in Psalm 120. inclined my harte to keepe thy iustifications for euermore because of retribution S. PAVL also saieth I haue (v) 2. Tim. 4. Aug. hom 14. ex 50. cap. 2. in Psal 83. 100. tract 3. in Io 2. Conc. Araus cap. 38. Mat. 5 12. 6 4.6.17 10 41. Apoc. 2 7.10.26 3 11. 14 13 fought a good fight I haue consūmate my course I haue kepte the faith Concerning the rest there is laide vp for me a crowne of iustice which our Lorde will render to me in that day a iust Iudge And not only to me but to them also that loue his comming Finally Christ himselfe saith If thou (x) Mat. 19. wilt enter into life keepe the commandementes And againe (y) Ioan. 5. Mat. 25 34. Aug. in Psal 49. They that haue done good things shall come forthe into the resurrection of life but they that haue done euill into resurrection of iudgement Then in an other place (z) Mat. ◠Hee that doth the will of my father which is in heauen he shall enter into the Kingdome of heauen By all which it is made very manifest how much it standeth euery one of vs vpon if we desire life euer lasting to ponder those speaches of almightie God (a) Apo. 2◠Eccli 18 22. He that is iust let him be iustified yet And let the holy be sanctified yet Beholde I come quickely and my rewarde is with me to render to (b) Ps 61 12 Mat. 16 27. Rom. 2 6. 1. Cor. 3 8. euery man according to his workes Therefore doing (c) Gal. 6. Eccli 51 58. Aug. in Psa 111. q. 4. ad Dulcitiū good let vs not faile for in due time we shall reape not failing 3 How many kindes of good woorkes be there wherein Christian Iustice is cheifly seene and exercised Petr. Chrysol ser 43. Leo. ser 1. et 4. de ieiun 10. mensis Bern. in sentētiis sect 11 THere are three kindes as wee finde in holy scripture to wit Praier Fasting and Almes For other good deedes for the most parte which doe proceed of a liuely faith and doe sette forthe increase and consummate Christian iustice are easelye reduced (a) Aug. de perf iust c. 8. respons 17. to these three fountaines Heereupon was that notable speache of the Angell RAPHAEL Praier is (b) Tob. 12. good with Fasting and Almes more than to hoorde vp treasures of golde And Saint AVGVSTINE saith plainly (c) In Ps 42. This is the iustice of a man in this life Fasting Almes and Praier Of this doth Christ seuerally intreate in S. MATHEVVES Gospell (d) Mat. 6. addeth promises of the heauenly reward prepared for those who within the Church without hypocrisie (e) Aug. ser 60. de temp doe syncerelye Fast Praie and giue Almes Hence is that faithfull promise so often repeted Thy Father (f) Mat. 6. which seeth in secrete will repaie thee And these be the very things wherein Christ to the intente that we may liue well and happely woulde haue (g) Mat. 5 21. our iustice to abound and so to shine (h) Ibid. ver 17. before men that they may see our good workes glorifie the Father To the performance of
armour vnto weake persons against the (a) 1. Io. 2 c Luc. 14 de f g 8 b Mat. 19 b c 13 c 1 Cor. 7 f Eccli 31 a Pro. 29 c Iudic. 17 c 21 d Gal. 5 b baites of the worlde and the flesh which doe further the endeuours of good men in the race of true pietie which doe make the Spirite more at libertie to performe the functions of religion and diuine worshippe and which moreouer are much auaileable as we haue declared for the atchiuing of the reward of eternall life and more ample glory (b) Mat. 19 b c d Greg. lib. 26. moral c. 25. in the kingdome of heauen But the whole summe of Euangelicall perfection standeth in this that as much as thou maiest thou endeuour to get (c) 1. Cor. 13 a 1 Io. 2 a 4 c Col. 3 c Aug. de morib Eccles Cathol c. 33 charitie and that thou followe (d) Luc. 9 c Christ And him thou doest imitate if according to thy power thou doest seeke to conforme thy selfe to Christ who was both (e) 2. Cor. 8 b Mat. 8 c poore and a (f) 1. Pet. 1 e Virgin subiect (g) Luc. 2 g to others and obedient (h) Phil. 2 b euen to the death of the Crosse If with the Apostle S. PAVL (k) Phil. 3 c Psal 83 c Ber. ep 253. ad Garinū Abbatem et ep 341. ad Monachos Sanct. Bertini item ser 2. de Purific B. Mariae Aug. ep 137. ad Hip. neglecting those thinges that are behinde (i) 1. Pet. 2 d with vnwearied labour thou doest trauaile towards those things that are before doest stretch out thy selfe euery day to the price of the supernal vocation vtterly forsaking in the mean season as much as thou canst thy owne proper will and submitting it to a man for gods sake that thou maiest (l) 1. Cor. 12 d pursue the better giftes and maiest both choose (m) Luc. 10 g the best-parte and with faithfulnes conserue the same euen to the (n) Apo. 2 c end OF THE FOVRE LAST THINGES OF A MAN 1 Which are called the foure last things of a man THese surely Death Iudgemēt Hell and the Kingdome of heauen called certes the last (a) Eccli 7 d 28 a 38 b Deut. 32 d Pro. 19 c Bern. in ser de primord medijs nouissunis things because that amongst all the things that can chance vnto a man they chalenge vnto themselues the very last place For death according to the common saying is the last line of thinges After Death followeth the Iudgement of God as S. PAVL also hath declared in these wordes It is (b) Heb. 9. g appointed to men to die once after this the Iudgement To wit both that (c) Aug. lib 2. de anima eius origine cap. 4. Item tract 49. in Ioan. Chysost ho. 14. in Mat. particular which euery one hath at his death and that last and generall Iudgement which expecteth all men at the end of the world as we haue alreadie (d) In Symbolo declared And some are iudged those that die in mortall sinne to be deliuered to euerlasting (e) Luc. 16 c Mat. 25 d paines in Hell others who departing this life are adorned with the mariage (f) Mat 22 b Aug. li. post collat cont Donat. c. 20 Greg. ho. 38 in Euang. garment of charitie that they may enioy the most happie life in the kingdome of heauen That is it which the Euangelicall veritie affirmeth They (g) Io. 5 c Mat. 25 d that haue done good thinges shall come forth into the resurrection of life but they that haue done euill into the resurrection of iudgement For (h) Mat. 16 d the sonne of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his Angells and then will he render to euery man according to his workes 2 What instruction doth the scripture giue vs of death AS (a) Ro. 5 b Sap. 1 d Concil Mileuit cap. 1. Aug. de praedest gratia cap. 3. by one man sinne entered into this worlde and by sinne death and so vnto all men death did passe as S. PAVL affirmeth Therefore although nothing be more vncertain vnto vs then (b) Greg. ho. 13 in Euāg Aug. in Ps 144. ho. 27. ex 50. cap 3. cap 2. soliloquiorū animae Hugo Vict. lib. 1. de anima cap. 3. the houre of death for a man knoweth (c) Eccles 9 c Iac 4 d Eccli 11 c 14 b Luc. 12 c not his end yet nothing can be more sure thā death it selfe For which cause it is written All (d) 2 Reg. 14. c Eccles 2. c Ps 89 b 101 a b 102 c Iob. 8 b 14. a 1 Pet. 1. d Aug. lib. 13. de ciu Dei cap. 10. 11. ser 21. de verbis Domini c. 2. 3. Innocent de contemptu mundi lib. 1. cap. 24. of vs die and as waters we fall into earth which doe not returne againe And Ecclesiasticus confirming the same And (e) Eccli 10 b Iob 17 d Psal 18 b d Baruch 3 b Eccli 41 a Aug. senten vlt. apud Prosp a King saith he is to day and to morow he shall die and when a man dieth he shall inherite serpentes and beastes and wormes And because it concerneth vs much in what manner and how well prepared we die therefore so often in the Gospell is this repeated vnto vs Be (f) Mat 25 a 20. d Mar. 13 d Aug. ep 80. ad Hesych quaest 59. lib. 83. quaestionum watchfull Also be ye ready (g) Luc. 12 c for at what houre you thinke not the sonne of man will come Apoc. 3 a 16 c Cypr. epist 52. ad Anton Aug ser 3. de Innocentibus tra 33. in Ioan. Greg. lib. 16. moral c. 31. And we shall be watchfull and ready to entertaine death if euery man doe for his owne parte earnestly and in all his life meditate that which is written Before (h) Eccli 14 c Eccles 9 c 12 a Gal. 6 c Aug. de discip Christiana cap. 11. 12. Conc. Lateran can 21. Trid. sess 14 Neruens c. 4 Greg. 4. dial c. 58. Possid in vita Aug. death worke iustice because there is not in hell to finde meate As also Christ himselfe hath saide The (i) Ioan 9 a Aug. in enc cap. 110. tract 44. in Ioan. nighte commeth when no mā can worke (k) Ioan. 12 c Luc. 19 c walke whilest you haue the light that the darkenes ouertake you not But fittely doth the Prophet put a difference betweene the death of the good the euill For of these he saith The death (l) Psal 33 d Pro. 11 a Sap. 5 b c Psal 10 b Aug. serm 47. 59. ad fratr in Eremo Hugo Victorinus lib. 1. de anima cap. 2. lib. 3. cap. 23. lib. 4. cap. 13. Innocent 3. de contemptu mundi lib. 2. cap. 42. of sinners
the simpler sort All which thinges we will close vp with one worde of Ecclesiastes as with a notable seale of the whole life of man making this conclusion Eccles 12 d Feare God and keepe his Commaundementes For this is all a man Psalm 67. Confirme this O GOD which thou hast wrought in vs. AN APPENDIX OR ADDITION OF THE FALL OF MAN AND IVSTIFIcation according to the sentence and doctrine of the Councell of Trent 1 Of the state fall of the first Man VVHen the first man Gen. 2 c 3 â— Aug. lib. 14. de ciuit Dei cap. 17. lib. 6 de Gen. ad lit cap. 26 27 in coÌ„cione ad Catech cont Iudae c. cap. 2. Fulg. de incarn grat Christ cap. 12. 13. Bern. ser 1. de Annun Prosp cont Collat. c. 21. ADAM hadde transegressed the Commandement of God in Paradise be presentlie loâ—t the holinesse and iustice in which he was created and further by the offence of that transgression incurred the anger and indignation of God and so consequently Gen. 2 c 3 d. Rom. 5 c. Conc. Mileuit can 1. Aug lib. 1. de ciuitat Dei cap. 12. lib. 1. de poâ— mer. cap. 2. 4. 6. Tertul de anima cap. 52. Fulgent de incarnat cap. 12. Chrys hom 17. in Gen. Ber. ad milit templi cap. 11. death which Almighty God had threatned vnto him before And with this same death he fell into the bondage and thraldome of the Aug. lib. 13. de Trin. cap. 12. lib. 3. Hypog cap. 2. Bern. ep 190. Diuell who from thence-forth had the Empire of Heb. 2 d death and finallie whole ADAM Concil ArausicanuÌ„ can 1. lib. de Eccles dogmat cap. 38. Aug. lib. 13. de Trin. cap. 12. lib. 14. de ciu Dei c. 15 by that same offence of preuarication was both in bodie and soule changed into worse 2 Of the sin of Adam transfused into al men NEither did ADAMS preuarication hurte himselfe alone but also his whole linage Ro. 5 c d 1. Cor. 15 c Eccli 25 d Conc. 2. A. raus can 2. Aug. in Enchir cap. 26. l. 2. Hypog cap 1. sequent l. 13. de ciuit Dei cap 3 14. lib 14. cap. 1. Prosp lib. 1. de vocat gent. c. 7. ad capitula Gallor c. 8. and posterity as who did loose both to himselfe Prosp cont Collat cap. 19 ad tria prima dub Genuen 9. Fulg. de incar gra Christi c. 13. and to vs the holinesse and iustice receiued from God and beeing polluted by the sinne of disobedience did transfuse into all mankinde not death only and the paines of the Gennad de Eccles dogmat c. 39. Aug. in Ench. c. 26. lib. 15. de ciuitate Dei cap. 1. de Predest gra c. 3. lib. 6. cont Iulian. cap. 12. 20. 24. 26. Fulgent de incar gratia Christi c. 14. 15. de fide ad Pet. cap. 25. Prosp lib 2. de vita contemplatiua c. 20. cont Collat. cap. 20. lib. de ingrat cap. 40. 27. Petrus Diaconus de incarnat gratia Christi cap. 6. bodie but also sinne which is the death of the soule Which the Apostle confirming hath said By one man Rom. 5 b sinne entred into the world and by sinne death And so vnto al men death did passe in which all sinned For which cause the sinne of ADAM which originally is one being by propagation Aug. l. 2. cont Pelag. Coelest c 15 16. lib. 1. de pec mer. cap. 9. 10. 11 12. 13. l. 2 Hypog c. 4. ep 86. 〈◊〉 lib. 6. cont Iul. cap. 2. serm 14. â—e verb. Apâ—â—â— cap. 14. â— sequent not by imitation transfused to all is in euery particular man his own Item lib. 3. de peccat mer. cap. 8. lib. 6. cont Iulian. cap. 10. must needs be purged by some remedie for the getting of life euerlasting For by it all men are made vncleane and as the Apostle Ephes 2 a Fulgent de â—ide ad Pet. cap. 26. saith by nature the Sonnes of wrathe and the slaues of sinne of the diuell of death excepting â—eere the immaculate Virgin Aug de nat gratia cap 36. vide extrauag comm lib. 3. de reliq veneratione Banct Conc. Trid. sess 3. in fine decret de peccato Origin MARY the mother of God whom in this place where we speake of Originall sinne we doe not comprehend 3 Of the remedy of Originall sinne THis Originall sinne which is in euerie man his owne as we haue saide is not taken away by the Aug. ep 28. Enchâ—c 48. Fulgent de incarn et gratia Christi cap. 16. forces of humane nature nor by any other remedie than by the merit of one Mediatour 1. Tim. 2 b our Lord Iesus Christ who hath reconciled vs Ro. 5 b Petrus Diaconus de incarn gratia Christi cap. 16. Bern. epist 190. vnto God in his bloude being made vnto vs 1. Cor. 1 d Bern ser â— de Purif Iustice Sanctification and Redemption And his merit Tit. â— b is applied as wel to those of discretion as to Infants by the Sacrament of Baptisme orderly ministred in such forme as the Church doth vse because there is no other name Act. 4 b vnder heaueÌ„ giuen vnto meÌ„ in which we must be saued And heÌ„ce is that speech Io 1 d Behold the Lambe of God beholde him that taketh away the sinne of the world And this also Gal. 3 d Aug. lib. 6. cont Iul. c. 4 As many of you as are Baptised in Christ haue put on Christ They therefore doe pernitiously erre who denie that Infants Concil Mileuit c. 2. Aphr. can 77. newely borne ought to be Baptised although they bee borne of Baptised Parents For these also are Baptised into remission of sinnes as hauing receiued Originall sinne from ADAM which must of necessitie bee purged by the Aug. lib. 1. de peccat mer. cap. 16. lib. 4. cont 2. ep Pelag. c. 4 Lauer of regeneration for the getting of life euerlasting because no otherwise is this to be vnderstood Ro. 5 b Aug. lib. 4. cont 2. ep Pelag. cap. 4. lib. 2. cont Pelagium Coelest cap. 40. By one man sinne entered into the world and by sinne death and so vnto all men death did passe in which all sinned But as the Catholicke Church all the worlde ouer hath allwaies vnderstood it For because of this rule of faith according to the Tradition of the Apostles euen Infants who coulde not as yet coÌ„mit any sinne in their owne persons are therefore truely baptised into remission of sinnes that in them by regeneration that may bee clensed which they haue coÌ„tracted by generatioÌ„ For Io. 3 â— vnlesse a maÌ„ be borne again of water and the spirite he cannot enter into the kingdome of God 4 Of the relikes of originall sinne in the Baptised MOreouer we ought to acknowledge that the guilt of originall sinne is remitted by the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ which is giuen in baptisme
Almighty God touching the heart of man by the inspiration of the holie Ghost both Aug. de gratia lib. arbit cap 2. 9. 15. de Spir. lit cap. 34. lib. 2 de pec mer. c. 5. de praed grat cap. 9. de verb. Apost serm 41. cap. 1. ser 15. cap. 11. tract 4. in epist Io. de Praedest sanct cap. 3. Chrys ho. 9. in Ioan. Bern. de gratia liber arbit Prosp lib. 2. de vocatione gent. cap. 26. 27. 28. cont Collat cap. 26. man himselfe doth something receiuing that inspiration because he might as well reiecte Matth. 23 d Act. 13 g Hierem. 18 b 25 a b 32 f 35 c Zach 1 b the same and yet without the grace of God Cypr. de orat Dom. Aug. de natura gratia cap. 18. lib. 2. cont 2. epist Pelag. cap. 10. Hier. epist 139. coulde hee not by force of his free-will moue himselfe to Iustice in his sight And for that cause when it is saide in holy Scripture Zach. 1 a Mal. 3 b Act. 2 f 3 c Ephes 5 c Iac. 4 c Mat. 11 d Hierem. 3 a d 4 d 18 b Esa 1 d 40 a 45 d 46 c 55 a b Bar. 4 a Ezech. 18 g 1. Reg 7 a Be yee conuerted vnto me and I will be conuerted vnto you We are put in minde of our libertie and when wee aunswere Thren 5 d Hierem. 31 c Conuert vs O Lord vnto thee and we shall be conuerted We confesse that we are preuented by the grace of God 10 What is the manner of preparation to Iustification ANd certes men are disposed to Iustice whilest beeing Aug. l. 2. cont 2. epist Pelag. c. 9. de Praed Sanct. c. 20. Conc. 2. Araus caÌ„ 5. 6. 7. 25. Fulg. de incarn gra Christi cap. 17. 18. stirred vp and holpen by the grace of God conceiuing Faith Ro. 10 c d by hearing they are freely Aug. tra 26. in Io. de Praed Sanct. c. 11. de spir lit cap. 31 32. in expos propos ex ep ad Ro. c. 44. lib. 1. qu. ad simplic q. 2. Prosp l. 2. de vocat gent. cap. 27. 28. Euthim. in cap. 1. Io. Isid lib. 2 de summo bono cap. 2. mooued vnto God beleeuing those thinges to be true which are reuealed and promised by God and this especially that God doth iustifie Rom. 3 d Aug. de nat gra câ—p 44. the wicked man by his grace through the redemption which is in CHRIST IESVS and whilest knowing themselues to be sinners by conuerting themselues from the feare of Gods iustice with which they are Fulgent lib. 1. de rem pec cap. 8. 9. 11. Prosp lib. 2. de vocat gent. cap. 27. lib. 3. de vit contemplat cap. 12. Aug. tract 9. in epist Ioan de catech â—ud cap. 5. profitablely storkeÌ„ to the consideration of his mercy they are erected into hope hauing confidence that for Christ his sake Almighty God wil be mercifull vnto them him they begin to loue as the fountaine of all Iustice and therefore are moued against sinne Eccli 2 d Aug. ho. 50. cap. 2. ex 50. et ho. 27. c. 1 Chrys ho. 21. ad Ant. with some hatred and detestation that is to say by that repentance which must be done before Baptisme Finallie whilest they purpose to take Baptisme to begin a newe life to keepe Gods Commaundements Of this disposition it is written Heb. 11 b He that commeth to God must beleeue that hee is and is a rewarder to them that seeke him And Mat. 9 a haue a good heart my Sonne thy sinnes are forgiuen thee And Eccli 1 c the feare of God expelleth sinne And Act. 2 f doe Penance be euery one of you Baptised in the name of Iesus Christ in remission of your sinnes and you shall receiue the gifte of the holie Ghost And Mat. 28 d going therefore teach yee all nations Baptising theÌ„ in the name of the FATHER of the SONNE and of the HOLIE GHOST teaching theÌ„ to obserue all thinges whatsoeuer I haue commaunded you Finally 1. Reg. 7 a prepare your hartes vnto our Lord. 11 What the Iustification of a wicked man is what are the causes thereof THis disposition or preparation verie Iustification it selfe doth followe which is not the onlie Aug. lib. 6. cont Iul. cap. 11. lib. 1 retract c. 13. ep 105. 106. Conc. Mileu cap. 3. 4. Chrys ho. 3. de poenit Theoph. in cap. 2. Mar. See the 3. question of Baptisme page 151. remission of sinnes but a Sanctification also and renouation of the inward man by the voluntarie receiuing of grace giftes of the holy Ghost whereby a man of vniust is made iust and of an enemy a friend that he may be Tit. 3 b heire according to the hope of life euerlasting The causes of this Iustification are these The finall cause is the glory of GOD and of CHRIST and life euerlasting the efficient cause is the mercifull God who freely Ibid. doth washe 1. Cor. 6 c sanctifie signing Eph. 1 c annointing with the holy spirite of promise which is the pleadge of our enheritance the meritorious cause is his most beloued onely begotten SONNE our Lorde IESVS CHRIST who Ro. 5 b when wee were enemies for his Eph. 2 a exceeding Charity with which he loued vs by his most holy Passion vpon the TREE of the CROSSE deserued Ro. 4 d for vs iustification satisfied God the Father in our behalfe Also the Instrumentall cause is the Sacrament See the 1. question of Baptisme pag. 147. of BAPTISME which is the Sacrament of FAITH without the which no man euer obtained IustificatioÌ„ Finally the only formal cause is the Iustice of God not by which Aug. de spir lit c. 9. 11. in Psal 150. tract 26 in Io. epist 120. c. 30. de nat grat cap. 63. lib. 1 cont Pelag. Coelest c. 30. lib. 1. de pec mer. c. 9. 10. Com. Vien in CleÌ„ l. 1. tit 1. de sum Trin. he himselfe is iust but whereby hee maketh vs iust To wit which beeing by him geuen vnto vs we are Eph. 4 c renued in the spirite of our minde and are not only reputed iust but are truely Aug. ep 29. ser 16. de verb. Apost l b. 2. retract c. 13. de spir lit cap. 26 27. called and are in very deede iust euery one receiuing our proper iustice in our selues according to the measure which the holy Ghost doth distribute 1. Co. 12 b Ephes 4 â— Aug. ep 57. quaest 1. to euery one euen as he will and according to euery mans proper disposition cooperation For although none can bee iust but hee to whom the passions of our Lorde IESVS CHRIST are communicated yet that is done in this iustification of a wicked man at what time through the merite of the same most holy Passion by the holy-Ghost Ro. â— 2. Cor. 1 d Aug. de spir lit cap. 17 32. de nat grot
religion was A fore-telling prefiguration of our trueth so the Gentiles must be An erroneous imitatiō of the same Such kinde of reasoning therefore by which our Ceremonies are condemned for the Gentiles vsing the like is to be hissed at and aunswere is to be made with Saint Augustine Ibidem that as in Virginitie it much importeth to whom it is Vowed and performed whereby our NVNNES differ form the Vestalles so also doe the outwarde Ceremonies of Gentiles far differ from ours in their contrary ende and intention they beeing to the honour of the Diuell ours to the honour and exaltation of Gods holy name Now for the matter it selfe We maie aske euery thing of euerie Saint True it is that to aske one thing particularly of one Saint so that we thinke that the Saint cannot aswel obtaine all whereas the Saintes geue nothing of themselues but by theire intercession obtaine of God whatsoeuer he himselfe is able to geue which is euery good and perfecte gift were a superstition much to be condemned and vtterly to bee banished from all Christian minds For after this maner had the Gentiles Gods for euery thing whom they had so tied to their seuerall dueties and taskes that the Goddesse of the Aug. l. 4. ciu cap. 8. 21. corne yet vnder the earth could not meddell with the same nowe sprong nor she that had the charge of the corne in the fielde could take the protection therof in the barne and such other infinite follies But among Christians neuer was there any such opinion but that of any Sainte one might aske any gifte or benefitte lawfull to bee asked or loked for from God We aske one thing of one Saint rather than of another Yet hath there bene and there is also a laudable and Godly custome of one Sainte to aske one thing espeacially and of another to demaund another not for any imbecillity in other Saints nor for any imperfection in that Sainte to whom we pray but for diuerse Godly and lawfull causes as here we will declare The first reason may be the imitation of the Saint for S. Paul commaundeth 1. Cor. 4 16. 11 1. Phil. 3 17. 1. Thes 1 6. 1. Thes 2 14 2. Thes 3 7. Heb. 6 12. 13 7. that we imitate him and other Saints Nowe certaine it is that there be diuisions of Graces 1. Cor. 12 God geuing to euery one as he willeth Euery Sainte excelleth in some one gifte or other wherfore the Church applieth that sentence of the Ecclesiasticus spoken particularly of Abraham to euery Bishop Confessor consequētly to euery Saint Eccles 44 20. There was not found any like vnto him So that of so many diuersities of infinite Saints vnlike one to another in the mesure of graces yet tending all to the ende of the loue of God there ariseth that bewtifull Psal 44 10. ornamēt of the spouse of Christ exceedingly delighting his heauenly eies those Io. 14 2. diuerse Mansions in Gods house agreeable to theire diuerse desertes Now then what absurdity can ther be if for patience I pray to Iob for Faith to Abraham for feruour in Praier to Elias for teares of Penance to Mary Magdalen for charitable diligence in Hospitalitie to Martha and so of many other vertues in which the scriptures doe particularly exhort Iac. 5 11. Iudith 4 13 vs to their imitation Or may I not He. 13 7 See Amb. l. de offic Basil ep ad Greg. Naz. beholding the end of their conuersation and that which did moste shine in them demaund of God that speaciall vertue in which they did excel Nowe therefore thus doe I ioyne with our aduersaries I must imitate in one Sainte one vertue more than another Therefore I may desire of God in memory and imitation of the Sainte that vertue rather than another Againe whatsoeuer I may aske of God I may also aske of a Sainte according to the true meaning of praier to Saintes not as to the principall geuers but as to our intercessours for euery good gifte euen as it is in thē who liuing here pray for vs But I aske of God the imitation of a Sainte in a particular vertue more than in another therfore I may aske of the Sainte himselfe that particular vertue and of another another Hence for diuerse states of men may there bee chosen diuerse Patrons Patrons of diuerse states of life because of the laudable conuersation of some Saintes in euery degree Saint Ioseph was a Carpentar S. George a Souldier S. Anthony an Heremite S. Edward a King S. Cosmas and Damian Phisitions S. Anne a paterne for maried foulkes our Blessed Lady for Virgins Although in this moste excellent Queene of Angells there hauing bene Eccles 24 25. all grace of life and verity and her life hauing bene Amb. l. 2. de Virg. a discipline and instruction for all sortes of men God hath shewed more aboundantlye his greatnes Pro. 31 29 than in any other creature For according to that moste true prediction of her selfe Luc. 1 48. All generations shall call me blessed shee hath particularly in the Church of God in consideration of all maner of benefitts receaued from her obtained those names Our Lady of pittie our Lady of grace our Lady of comforte our Lady of peace c. Our Lady of pitty of grace such like how truely religiously each Catholicke harte feeleth but the senslesse stony minds of hereticks cānot but scoffe at the same to their vtter confusion at the last But we shall haue thē one day as well taunte the like names of God who although he be but one most simple essence yet is called diuersly The God of Comforte of Mercie of Hope of Strength such like And not only particular states of men but also particular countreis may haue their speciall Patrons Patrons of Countreys God hauing promised Mat. 22 30. that the Saintes shall bee like Angells and therefore no Dan. 10 13.21 Hieron in 34. Ezech. doubt haue protectiō of the world Yea God gimselfe expresly hauing promised them that they shall haue power ouer nations Apoc. 2 27. 5 10. that they shall rule them But the cause of the attributing certaine countreys to the gouernment of one Sainte more than another most ordinarily is the desire of imitation of that speaciall Sainte either because of his profession in his life which the countrey doth speacially embrace as of a Souldier or Merchaunte or because the Leo. ser 1 de SS Pet. et Paul calleth those two Apostles the speciall Patrons of ROME Sainte hauing liued there hath there espeaciallye lefte liuely examples of his notable vertues A second reasō of this matter may be the disptsition of almighty God who as we before rehearsed Ep. 137. ad Cler. pop Hipp. out of Sainte Augustine worketh some Miracles in one place not in another consequently by one Saint and not by another Wherefore if it please his diuine Maiestie to shew some wonder by any Sainte then
doth the deuoute people take occasion not without the inducement of God himselfe in like miseries to haue recourse to the same Sainte for conuenient remedie Of this wee haue in the Scripture it selfe some figure and example DAVID mighte haue offered in diuerse places Sacrifice for the appeasing of Gods wrath but 1. Par. 21 27. only in the Courte of Ornan he deserued to see the Angel put vp his sworde Iobs friends by Iobs Iob. 42 9. Sacrifice only founde mercie If wee seeke reason hereof it was onely Gods pleasure What shall wee say of diuerse Leuit. 4. Sacrifices ordained by God for diuerse sinnes And yet one Sacrifice might haue sufficed if so it had pleased the Author thereof Some diuells are cast out by the Disciples others by Christ Mat. 17 16. alone Yea we reade of S. Anthony In Vita that when he could not cast out a Diuell hee sent the possessed party to his Disciple Saint Paul called the simple by whom he was deliuered The cause of which thing if we should impute to the greater holinesse in the one than in the other wee shoulde presumptuosly behaue our selues towardes both The only cause therefore is to bee referred to the will of God who beeing the Lord of all riuers yet sheweth himselfe more mighty in Iordan than in 4. Reg. 5 12. Abana and Pharphar riuers of Damascus We haue also a custome in the Exorcismes of the Church to charge the Diuell to disclose by whom he may be cast out for no other cause doubtles than because God according to his diuine Councell purpose giueth a limited strength vnto those infernall spirites which maie so farre preuaile as he permitteth no farther Of this we haue a proofe in S. Hilarions life Who beeing secretly gone into Sicily was disclosed by a possessed person in Rome whom the Saint deliuered But there is a manifest example recorded by an Autenticall Paulus Diac. lib. 6. de gestis longob c. 2. writer Of a great pestilence a thowsande yeeres since in Constantinople other places Of which one being warned be reuelation that it shoulde not cease vntill that in the Church of Saint Peter in Vinculis at Rome an AVLTAR were erected to S. Sebastian his Relickes being brought thither an AVLTAR dedicated the pestilence ceassed Which AVLTAR is as yet there remaining and with great deuotion frequented espeacially in time of pestilence Theodoret In Philotheo c. 26. also witnesseth of the generall deuotion of the Artificers of Rome to S. Simeon Whose Image he beeing yet aliue they vsed to set at the dores of their shoppes because of a generall opinion that the Sainte woulde protect their shoppes wares from robbing Of which we may reade a strange miracle in that Saintes life The like custome may we reade in S. Damascen Who also reporteth the seuere iudgement of God shewed vpon three persons one after another miserably slaine Lib. 3. de Imag. for attempting to violate the Saintes Image reuerently erected at a deuoute Christians shoppe A third reason may be alleadged the kinde of Passion of euery Saint which wee somewhat touched before For as they which sinne in those things in which they sinne are ordinarily punished so Almightie God doth speacially blesse the torments of his Saints maketh their paines occasion of their glory What did not saith Serm. de S. Laurent Saint Leo to the tormentour of Saint Laurence thy witte deuise for the glory of the conquerour when the very instrumentes of his torments were changed into the honour of his triumph And of Sainte Paules Chaines what S. Chrysostome saith Hom. 3. in epist ad Rom. ser 5. de Iob. all the worlde knoweth Howe meete is it then that in thinges proportionable to the MARTYRS tormentes or glorious confession of CHRIST although he were not a Martyr we shoulde runne to craue his aide and souccour And so truely it is founde in Tho. Fazel decad 1. lib. 1. cap. 1. S. Paul Whereas the stones of the place where the Viper inuaded his handes cure all the venemous bitings of Scorpions And in our owne Countrey the Mosse of S. WENEFRIDS-Well a deuoute memory of her glorious Martyrdome besides the straunge sweetenesse which alwaies is in it is founde a singuler remedy against fire The like of Sainte Agathaes Veile in Sicily which is knowen to preserue the Citty of Catana from the furious flames of Aetna Howe iust is it that the memories of so glorious Virgins shoulde haue special vertue against fire wheras they ouercomming their weake sexe did burne with the fyre of the Holy-Ghost which many waters coulde not quench the fire of carnall concupiscence being vtterly extinct in their sacred breastes As therefore in the relickes and instrumentes of the passions of Saints we see certain particular and determinate thinges brought to passe so also may wee deuoutely expecte the same particular effectes when vpon the sure groundes of the practise of the Church some similitude of that which they haue suffred for Christ we inuocate them to our particular assistance in some speaciall causes And as in the most holy Trinitie by the essentiall attributes of power wisdome and goodnesse appropriated more to one person than to another See page 313. we doe not deny as much to be in one as in another so by speciall deuotions to Saintes for particular matters we doe not attribute lesse to the one then to the other but rather stirre vp our owne frailty weakenesse to the more speaciall remēbrance of Gods graces in thē The like is in the Angells Dan. 10 13.21 who are allotted vnto their seuerall Coūtreis to protect and Apoc. 8. 9. in punishments are ministers of seueral woes Hence is that custome sprong that deuoute people pray to S. Apollonia for the tooth-ake because her teeth were in her Martyrdome stroke out of her head and therefore shee is a fit Patronesse either to obtaine deliuery or if it please God that we bee not deliuered a patient sufferance according to her example The like may we say of praying to S. Agatha for sore breastes because her breast was cut off To S. Roche against the plague and to diuerse Saintes for diuerse thinges wherein their vertuouse disposition did most shew it selfe And to conclude all this with an inuincible argument let our Heretickes yeeld me a reason wherefore to the Princes Pollyd l. 8. histor of our countrey as an hereditary power from S. Edward hath bin graunted this gifte of curing one particuler disease more than another which if they cannot then let them not so curiously and blasphemously deale in the like manner with Saintes If I haue spoken saith our Sauiour Io. 3 12. vnto you earthly thinges you beleeue not how if I shall speake to you heauenly thinges will you beleeue Thus much therefore be spoken in defense of the generall practises of Christian Countreies allowed by Pastours and confirmed by long continuance not to defend euery particular practise of olde and simple women
saluting the mother of God FIrst of the wordes and examples of the Gospell whereas the great Archangell GABRIELL and ELISABETH the holy mother of the (a) Luc. 1 28 42. fore-runner of our Lorde both inspired by the holy Ghost do so teach and instructe vs. TheÌ„ we haue this forme of salutation confirmed ratified by the continuall custome and consent of the Church which the holy auncient (b) Damasc in Cant. de annunc Ath. in Euang de SS Deipara many more as appereth in the 18. 19. sections Fathers and men of olde time haue religiously obserued euen to this day and would haue also of vs to be obserued 17 What doth it profite vs to vse this manner of salutation BY these excelent words we are first of al admonished of that exceeding greate benefite that the eternall Father woulde * Gal. 4 4. beginne in Christ by MARIE the mother of God and mercifully bestowe vpon mankinde by redeeming it Luc. 11 27. et 1 30. This is also a singular commendation of the most holy and woonderfull Virgin which God hath determined to be the finder of grace and mother of life vnto vs all Wherefore no meruaile if after those Godly petitions which we offered vnto god in our Lords praier being here mindfull of the grace that we receaued by Christ we doe not only praise the mother of Christ but also God the Father in the same Virgin mother of God reioiceing together with the Angels with great reuerence often salute her 18 What is the sense of this salutation Andr. Hieros Archie Cretensis in salut Angâ—l Iren l. 3. c. 31. 33. Hier. ad Eusto ep 22. c. 8. 9. Innoc. 3. ser 2. de assump Ber. hom 2 in Missê° est Aug. ser 2. de annun IN the first wordes therof we doe iustly reioice with in reioicing praise and renowme her that was to vs the second and that a most happy EVE For that woe of malediction that the first EVE brought into the world this other by her holsome fruite hath taken away and hath exchanged the very curse of the children of ADAM with a perpetuall blessing Most worthy no doubt to be called ful of grace as who being full of God Amb. in c. 1 Luc. Ber. ser 9. ex paruis full of vertues alone for I will vse S. AMBROSE his words obtained that grace which no other had euer deserued before that she might be replenished with the Author of grace And what place could there be in her soule or bodye for any vice when she was made the temple of the holy of all holies There is added besides Our Lord is with thee because both the power of the Father did singularly ouershadowe (a) Luc. 1 35. her the holy Ghost came plentifully vpon her and the (b) Io. 1 14. Ps 18 6. worde being made fleshe from her did proceede in most wonderfull wise as a bridegroome from his chamber Then it followeth Blessed art thou among women Because she was together a spouse by * Esa 7 14. Ez. 44 2. Virginitie and a mother by fruitefulnesse And therefore with greate right all generations doe and shall al-waies call her (c) Luc. â— 48 blessed A woman (d) Cant. 4 7 all faire and immaculate a Virgin before her deliuery at her deliuery and after her deliuery alwaies (e) Amb. ep 81. Hier. in Helu in Apol. aduer Iouin vncorrupted free from all spot of sin (f) Aug. de nat gr c. 36. Conc. Trid. Sess 5. et Ses 6. cap. 23. exalted aboue all heauens who no lesse by giuing life was profitable than vnhappy EVE by killing was hurtfull vnto all mankind And blessed is the fruit of thy wombe IESVS as he that springing vp like a (g) Esa 11 1. flower from MARIE the roote hath both shewed him-selfe after a sorte fruite of the earth and doth in such manner yeeld the fruit of life and saluation to his members as (h) Io. 15 5. a Vine doth iuice and life vnto the branches O blessed wombe (i) Luc. 11 27. indeede that bare and broughte forthe a Sauiour to the worlde O blessed pappes without doubt that being filled froÌ„ heauen suckeled the Sonne of God Finally the Church hath added in the end (k) AntiquuÌ„ Breuiarium nouum Holy MARIE mother of God pray for vs sinners now and in the houre of our death For we following the (l) Ephrem de laud. Mar. in orat ad eandem in lament B. Virg. Iren. 5. c. 19 Naz. or 18. in Cypr. in Tra. Christus patiens Fulg. ser de laud. B. Virg c. 12. Ber. ser 2. Dom. 1. post octa Epiph. ser 1. 4. de Assump Damasc or 1. de Natiui B. Mariae in carmine ad eandem steppes of the holy Fathers doe not only salute that wonderfull Virgin worthy of all commendation which is as a Lillie (m) Can. 2 1 amongst thornes but doe also beleeue and professe that she is endowed with so greate power and ability from God that she is able to profite fauour and pleasure miserable mortall men especially when they doe commend themselues their desires vnto her doe humblely sue for the grace of God by the Mothers intercession 19 Testimonies of the Fathers touching the Virgin MARY Lib. 5 ca. 19. IRENEVS As EVE was seduced to swarue from Almighty God so MARY was perswaded to obaie God so that MARY a Virgin was made the aduocate of EVE a Virgin and as mankind was made subiecte to death by a Virgin so it is loosened by a Virgin a Virgins disobedience beinge counterpeazed by a Virgins obedience Saint CHRISOSTOME In Liturgia It is very meete and iust to glorifie thee the mother of our God euer most blessed and al-together vndefiled more honorable thaÌ„ the Cherubins more glorious incomparablely than the Seraphins which without all corruption hast brought forthe God we do magnify thee the very mother of god Hail Mary ful of grace our Lord is with thee blessed art thou among women blessed is the fruit of thy wombe because thou hast brought forthe the Sauiour of our soules S. AMBROSE Li. 2. de Vir. Let the Virginitie and life of blessed MARY be set forthe vnto vs as it were in an image from whom as froÌ„ a glasse there shineth out bright the beauty of chastitie and fairenesse of vertue What is more noble than the mother of God What is more bright thaÌ„ she whoÌ„ brightnes did choose What is more chaste than she that brought forth a body without contagion of the body Such a one was MARY that her only life might be a document to all men In Euang. de Sancta nostra Deipara Saint ATHANASIVS Forasmuch as he is a king that was borne of the Virgin the same also Lord and God for that cause she that bare him is truely properly iudged to be