Act. 2.13 16 20. 17.7 2. Cor. 12.16 for so prosecuted they the Prophets which were before you As were the Prophets so likewise the Apostles at more times and in more places then one charged with many accusations which yet in truth were but meere calumniations Plinius so the Iewes when the visible Church of God was onely among them were slandered as worshippers of Hogs Cornel. Tacit. and Asses and contemners of all Religion So the olde Christians in the Primitiue Church were slandered to vse incestuous companie each with other like Oedipus and to eate mans flesh at the banquet of Thyestes Euseb Eccles hist lib. 4. c. 7. Socrat. lib. 1. c. 2 Euseb lib. 9. c. 6 Sozom. l. 5. c. 25 Idem lib. 8. c. 28 So Athanasius Narcissus Cyrill Chrysostome and which else of the ancientest worthies of the Church haue been free from slanders and sinister imputations No maruell then if these who in their seuerall times did seperate themselues from the common corruptions of the Times and withstood the errours of those lines doe taste of the malignant aspersion in those times Secondly wee are not so much to regard what the Court of Rome and their Councels haue thought and pronounced against these our Ancients for they were parties partially affected against these their opposits and it is no rare thing with that Synagogue to damne those to the pit of hell who any wayes crosse their proceedings Neither doe wee beleeue that all they are or were Hereticks whom the Papists call heretickes for whatsoeuer doth withstand their Hierarchie they account heresie But our Apologie in that behalfe is that of the Apostle St. Paul Act. 24.14 After the way which they call heresie so worship wee the God of our Fathers Rob. Grosthead B. of Lincoln vt citatur in Wichleif trialog And if that description of Heresie may goe for currant which was deliuered by a Reuerend and learned Prelate in this Land almost foure hundred yeares agone Haeresis Graece electio Latine est sententia humano sensu electu scripturae sacrae contrarâ—â— palam docta pertinaciter defensu That Heresie is an opinion hatch'd in mans owne braine contrary to holy Scripture openly maintained and stifly defended then can they by no meanes brand either vs or these our predecessors with the name of Hereticks who neither hold any opinions grounded vpon our owne fancies neither openly maintained or stoutly stand to any errours whereof they iustly can conuict vs but that wee and they are truely orthodoxe and right Catholikes who teach and maintaine nothing but that whereof we haue euident warrant out of the Word of God Thirdly what is that which they can obiect against any of those who are mentioned in our former Catalogue Is it concerning our Faith or Life or both Let vs looke to the Triall of the particulars and I doubt not but all their suggestions will proue lyes and meere slanders as may appeare if we doe take a view of the particulars And here 1. Wee will begin at Luther because their spight is most against him as being a principall opposite of theirs and vpon whom they would father the beginning of our cause And let vs heare what they can say against Luther Popish Discourse of Faith ss 57. Martin Luther say they was an Apostate Frier a man knowne by his writings words deeds and death to haue beene a notorious euill liuer That Luther was somtimes a Frier wee grant and that afterwards through the mercy of God hee obtaining a more cleare knowledge of the Truth renounced their profession we doe not deny But what Apostasie was this in him or how can it more disparage him Act. 22.3 23.6 9.1 2 3 6 18 19. D. White his way to the true Church then it did the Apostle Paul who at the first was a Pharisie and after that being better illightned by God renounced the profession Pharisaicall and became an Apostle both those former professions being meere hypocrisie saue that this of the Frier is of the deeper tincture Stapleton disc p. 159. And what haue they to say against his Writings Forsooth they were vnsauourie rash petulant vnsound and altogether heriticall Soone said but not so soone proued for it doth so appeare by their confutation of the same let them make that appeare and then wee will credit them In the meane space howsoeuer we stand not in defence of all either matter or manner of his writings neither indeed doe wee build vpon him we will rather giue credit to some lesse partiall but more iuditious euen among the Papists themselues who giue other manner of testimonie concerning Luthers writings Q. Erasm ad Cardin Mogunt for thus Erasmus speaketh of them It is obserued for a truth that these men meaning the Papists condemne many things in Luthers bookes which in Augustine and Bernard are read for godly and good diuinitie And he addeth That hee seeth this the best men are least offended at his writings Hosiand Hist Eccles cent 16. p. 837. So Andreas Masius in the company of diuers obserued and acknowledged that there was more diuinitie in one page of Luther then sometimes in a whole booke of some Father And what can they obiect against his life did he forsake his Monasterie and giue himselfe to the Deuill following him and doing homage vnto him that all things might prosper according to his minde as did Siluester the second Platin. in Siluest 2. did hee robbe Churches and murther his Predecessors as did Pope Boniface the seauenth Baron ann 985 n. 1. Onuâ—â— lib. 3. did he commit incest with his owne Daughter as did Pope Alexander the sixth did he cast the Sacrament into the fire as did Pope Hildebrand did he keepe a beuie of whores Benno Cardinalis Luitprand lib. 6. c. 6. 7. turne the Church into a Stewes drinke healths to the deuill reuell vp and downe the streetes in armour and set mens houses on fire as Pope Iohn the 12. did No surely Not any shew in Luthers life of any of these or such like offences yea Erasmus one who was familiar with him in a certaine Epistle to Cardinall Wolsie giueth testimonie of him Erasm Epist ad Cardinal Eâ—â—rac that his life was approued with great consent of all men And this saith he is no small honour to him that the integritie of his manners is so great that his very enemies can finde nothing which they may Calumniate Pontac Campian Onupb in Ioh. 8 What deedes then hath he done for which they should finde such fault with his life Forsooth he married a Nunne hee lay with Bora hee lay with her But first he married her hee had not his Marozias Reyneras Theodoraes Stephanaes to be his bedfellowes without any care or veile of marriage Baron in ann 928. 912. But hee was a Frier shee a Nunne both which had vowed not to marrie But who tied them to
where at the age of 29 he commenced Doctor At the first he was a Monke of the Augustine Order and he beganne to distast Popish religion about the yeare of our Lord 1516 by occasion of his looking into first the Pardons and Indulgences which Pope Leo the tenth set to sale in Germany by Frier Tecellius and afterwards by prying into other stuffe of Popish superstitions so that the time of his separation from the Church of Rome must be reckoned to be about the yere of our Lord 1516 or 1517. King Henry the eight shoke off the Popish yoake about the 25 yeare of his reigne Chronic. Angâ—ic in vita Hen. 8. Statut. ann regni 25. Acts and Monum p. 96â— viz. Anno Domini 1534 Before which time he wrote against Luther and was an earnest defender of the Papacy Before either of these two times and whilst both Henry the eight and Luther were Papists wee can produce professors of our Religion betweene the yeare of our Lord 1500 and 1516. In England Doctors and learned men D. Iohn Colet Deane of Paules who was a great labourer for reformation in the Church and in his Sermons bitterly inueighed against inhibition of Priests mariage pilgrimages and diuers other abuses in the popish Church for which hee was much persecuted by Richard Fitz-Iames Bishop of London Paâ—etex Registr Fitz Erasm ep ad Iodoc. Ion. Gulielmus Lillius Gulielm Grocinus Gulielm Latimer Thomas Lynacre Whole Congregations persecuted for it In the Diocesse of Lancolne to the number of 437 persons Martyrol p. 751 752. c. In London 68 persons p. 734. 745. Martyrs put to death for it VVill Sweeting Iohn Brewster Iohn Browne Iokime Norman Iohn Stileman Thomas Man Robert Cosin Christop Shoomaker Robert Rane Iohn Seriuener In France Doctors and learned men Iacobus Pauanus Iohannes de Cadurco Laurentius Crucens Patet ex Crisp pantal Congregations Whole villages of them in the tract where the Alpes are ioyned with the Pyrenies Peir de Soan in hist Concil Trident. p. 3. Whole villages about Merindol and the Country of Prouence Martyrol p. 859. Martyrs Dionysius de Reaux Iacobus Pauanus Bartholomaeus Millen Henricus Poile Iohannes Chastellanus In Germany Doctors and learned men Leo Iuda Iohannes Oxlinus Vldericus Zuinglius Congregations Tigurines Bernates Lucernates Suicenses Vnderualii Basilienses Martyrol p. 791. Martyrs Petrus Spengler Wolgangus Schurch Leonardus Heilar Wendelmuta Vidua In Bohemia There were diuers about this time professing the Protestants religion who were by the Papists tearmed Pycards Calystini and Subutraques Pier de Soau in his Historie of the Trent Councill p. 3. Before this time and before Luther was borne there were professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares of our Lord 1450 and 1500. In England REynold Peacocke Bishop of Chichester who publikely preached against the Pope Fryers transubstantiation and the whole leauen of popery Thomas Gasgorgu lib. de dict Theol. p. 3. Martyrs William Tilsworth Lawrence Ghest Thomas Barnard Babram Iames Mordon Ioane Boughton Mother to the Lady Young Acts and Monum in regu Henric. 7. Persecuted for the same Iohn Blomeston Richard Hegham Robert Crowther Iohn Smith Roger Browne Thomas Butler Iohn Falkes Richard Hilmin Margery Goit With diuers others in Kent Couentrie and London ibid. p. 713 714. In France Philippus Comineas a French Historiagrapher who spared not to reproue the vices in Popery and to extol those who opposed the same Martyrol p. 672. Iohannes Selestadiensis Vide â—iuâ— Epist ad Maximil Imper. contra Pontificios Antonius Mancinellus who wrote an eloquent oration against the filthie life and wicked manners of the Pope and his Clergy and for that cause had his tongue and hands cut off by the commandement of the Pope Martyrol p. 674. Charles the eight was at often defiance with the Pope Ibid. p. 675. In Germany The Germanes in generall exhibited their complaints against the Pope to the Emperor Maximilian Martyrol p. 672. Rodulphus Agricolae Pontanus Philippus Baroaldus Georgius Valla. Iohannes Ostenderpius Doctor Keiserspergius Doctor Andreas Proles Ex Luc. Osiand lib. 1. c. 8. VVeselus Groningensis wrote against popish penance indulgences purgatory workes of supererrogation abuses of the Masse prayers for the dead vowes precepts of the Pope and Prelates c. Hee was a man so famous and notable for his great learning and good life that hee was commonly called Lux mundi The light of the world Ex Noviomag Martyrol p. 670. In Bohemia Georgius Pogiebrachius Gouernor of that Kingdome vnder the young King Ladislaus Rochezana and diuers other Preachers more of whose conformity with vs in Religion and separation from the Church of Rome wee may reade Cocl lib. de Hus Martyrol p. 662. Item ex Aene. Sylv. in Histor Bohem. In Italy Iohannes Baptista Mantuanus Angelus Politianus Hermolaus Barbarus Iohannes Picus Mirandula This Picus Earle of Mirandula being but a young man went to Rome and there set vp 90 conclusions to be disputed on of which diuers were about the Sacrament Iustification c. quite contrary to the tenent of the Church of Rome for which hee was persecuted by the Pope and his Clergy Luc. Osiand lib. 1. c. 8. Martyrol p. 740. Hieronimus Sauanorola an Italian Monke sorely inueighed against the corruption in Popery maintained iustification by faith that the communion ought to bee administred in both kinds that indulgences and pardons of the Pope were of no effect against auricular confession and the Popes Supremacy for which cause he with two more who taught and preached the same together with him were hanged at Florence and afterwards burnt to ashes Illiric Catal. test Martyrol pag. 450. Before that time there are to be found professors of the Protestant Religion betweene the yeares 1400 1450. In England THe name of Lollards about this time was commonly knowne in England That they and wee doe agree in the substance of our Religion may appeare ex descript sect Lollard William Bishop of Norwich complaineth how the number of them did here encrease Martyrol pag. 609. Martyrs Rich. Houerden Iohn Goose Paul Craw. William White Iohn Claidon Richard Turning Sr Iohn Oldcastle Lord Cobham Persecuted and put to penance for that profession Iohn Burrell Thomas Moone Iohn Finch Nicholas Belward Thomas Grimar Iohn Beuerley Thomas Pye Iohn Mendham Robert Shiruing Iohn Terrie Hugh Pie Iohn Parker Iohn Skilly Iohn Cooper Bartholmew Thatcher Thomas Iames. Alane Andrew William VVright Richard Fletcher Iohn Aberee Iohn Middleton Iohn Waid Richard Clerke Robert Beet Richard Page Iohn Warden Iohn Kinget Thomas Albeck William Bates VVill Osbourne Robert Briggs VVilliam Marsh Iohn Goodwin Henry Bood Richard Horne Iohn Spire Richard King with diuers others as wee may finde them named and recorded Martyrolog pag. 608. In France Thomas Redonensit a Frenchman by birth came into Italy about the yeare 1433 and there seeing the corruptions of the Church of Rome inueighed exceedingly against the same preaching that the Church did lack reformation
name Stephen Paletz Stanislaus de Znoymar Concil Constan which in that tongue doth so signifie Hierome of Prage a meere Sophister both of them Arch heretickes Cochleus lib. 2. Histor Hussit p. 88. Dico igitur Iohannem Husse neque sanctum neque beatum habendum sed impium potius c. turbulent and pernitious persons ambitiously desiring vaine glorie maintainers of damnable and detestable opinions Cochleus thus writeth of them I say therefore that Iohn Husse is neither to bee accounted holy nor blessed but rather wicked and eternally wretched insomuch that at the day of Iudgement it shall be more easie not only with the Infidell Pagans Turkes Tartarians and Iewes but also with the most sinfull Sodomites and the abominable Persians yea also with most impious Cain killer of his owne brother with Thyestes killer of his owne mother and the Lestrigones and other Anthropaphagi which deuoure mans flesh yea more easie with those infamous murtherers of Infants Pharaoh and Herod then it shall be with him c. Duraverba A rash and harsh sentence yet Michael the Archangell when he contended with the Deuill Iude 9.10 disputing about the Body of Moses durst not bring against him a railing accusation but said The Lord rebuke thee But these speake euill of things they know not They condemne these two worthy Diuines for Heretikes their doctrine for heresie and burne them damne them to hell raile against their memorie before they proue either them or their doctrine Hereticall Aenaeas Siluius Antoninus Laziardus True indeed it is that Aeneas Siluius knowne afterwards by the name of Pope Pius the 2. and Antoninuâ— and Laziardus doe falsly father many erronious Articles vpon them which they neuer maintained Recognitio ciuitatis Vniuers Prag August 30. 1414. neither came it into their heart to maintaine as both themselues doe professe and the Citie of Prage witnesse with them And in the Councell of Constance besides many false accusations suggested against them and their doctrine their true opinions were consured as haereticall But how were they proued so to be how were they confuted did not he plead his cause before the whole Councell did hee not promise to reuoke his opinions if by the word of God it might be proued that he had erred did they goe about by the Scriptures and not rather by clamours outrages and reproaches to answer him I appeale to the Acts of the Councell Nay more heare the testimonie of one who was deputed Inquisitor to enquire into the doctrine of Iohn Husse by the Sea of Rome and that is the Bishop of Nazareth Inquisitor of heresie in the Citie and Diocesse of Prage who by his Letters written doth cleere him from any hereticall position The coppie of whose Letter is to this effect WEE Nicholas by the grace of God Martyrolog p. 549. Bishop of Nazareth and Inquisitor specially deputed by the Apostolike Seat for heresies both of the Citie and Diocesse of Prage by these presents make it knowne to all men that wee haue often communed and talked with that honourable man Master Iohn Husse Bachelor of Diuinitie of the famous Vniuersitie of Prage and haue had diuers and sundry Conferences with him both of the Scriptures and diuers other matters And in all his sayings doings and behauiour wee haue proued and found him to be a faithfull and a catholicke man finding no manner of euill sinister or by any meanes erronious doings in him to this present we doe witnesse and protest moreouer how the said Iohn Husse of late in the Cathedrall Church of Prage c. hath set vp his Letters written both in the Latine and Bohemian tongue containing sententially in effect that hee the aforesaid Iohn Husse would appeare before the reuerend Father Conrade Arch-Bishop of Prage and all the Prelates and Clergie of the Kingdome of Boheme c. and there be ready to satisfie euery man that shall require him to shew a reason of his faith and hope that he holdeth and to see and heare all and euery one which could proue any obstinacie of error or heresie lawfully against him vnder paine to receiue the like punishment also that he would be at the Councell of Constance now at hand there before all the Prelates and holy Fathers to declare and shew forth his innocencie After the which Letters as is aforesaid by the said Master Iohn Husse openly set vp There did no man appeare before vs which would accuse the said Iohn Husse of any error or heresie whatsoeuer For euident witnesse of all which thinges wee haue commanded these present Letters to bee made and confirmed the same with the setting to of our Seale Dated in Prague 30. of August Anno Dom. 1414. As for that aspersion of Ambition or vaine glory Ioh. Huss de Sacerd. Monachor abhominat pag. 84. Nam ista scribens fateor quod nihil aliud me in illiâ— vrget nisi dilectio Domini Iesu crucifixi c. which the Pope-Catholikes would fasten vpon this holy man let vs heare his owne Apologie In writing these thinges saith hee I confesse that nothing else hath moued mee hereunto but onely the loue of our Lord IESVS Crucified whose prints and stripes according to the measure of my weaknesse and vilenesse I couet to beare in my selfe beseeching him so to assist mee with his Grace that I may neuer seeke to glory in my selfe or in any thing else but onely in his Crosse and in the inestimable ignominie of his Passion which hee suffered for mee And therefore I write and speake these thinges which I doubt not but will like all such as vnfainedly loue the Lord IESVS CHRIST and contrariwise will dislike not a little all such as bee of Antichrist Also againe I confesse before the most mercifull Lord IESVS CHRIST Crucified that these thinges which I doe now write and those which I haue written before neither I could haue written nor knew how nor durst so to haue written vnlesse hee by his inward vnction had so commaunded mee Neither yet doe I write these thinges as of authoritie to get mee a name for as Saint Augustine and Hierome doe say that is onely to bee giuen to the Scriptures and writings of the Apostles Euangelists and Prophets which doe abound in the fulnesse of the Spirit of IESVS and whatsoeuer is there said is full of veritie and wholsome vtilitie As concerning the life and conuersation both of Iohn Husse and Hierome of Prague which the Papists labour to traduce let vs heare the testimonie not of Plebians but of the Nobles of Morauia not a few but 54. of them written to the Councell of Constance in their defence The Copie of it beginneth thus Extat Marty vol. p. 386. 387. TO the right Reuerend Fathers and Lords in Christ the Lords Cardinals Patriarchs Primates Arch-bishops Bishops Embassadours Doctors Masters and to the whole Councell of Constance We the Nobles Lords Knights Esquires of
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. 1.26.27 28. 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 scaled the Truth thereof with their blood we haue the fellowship of many Churches in diuers Nations Being therefore Compassed about with so great a clouds of Wanesses 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 82.12 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 4â— 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 seeke 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. â—0 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