See q. 6. of the ten Com. p. 66. impossible thinges but in commanding he doth admonish thee both to doe what thou arte able and to aske that which thou arte not able and he helpeth that thou maiest be able Whose Commaundements 1. Io. 5 a are not heauie whose yoke is Mat. 11 d Aug. de nat grat c 69. Ber. pe 341. Chrys in Psal 111. sweete burden light For they that be the sonnes of God do loue Christ And they that loue him as he himselfe Io. 14 c witnesseth doe keepe his speaches which certes with the helpe Aug. ser 61. de temp l. 3 cont Crescon Grammat cap. 4. of God they are able to performe For although in this mortall life neuer so holy and iust persons do sometimes fall Idem de vera falsa poenit c. 5. de spir lit c. 28. Greg. lib. 6. in 1. Reg. c. 2. Beda in c. 26. Pro vel 24. Of sins in general q. 3. p. 272. of the purging of sins q. 2. â— at the least into light and quotidian sinnes which are also called veniall They doe not therfore cease to be iust For euen of iust persons Conc. Mileu can 7. 8. is that speach both humble and true Mat. 6 b forgiue vs our debts Wherby it cometh to passe that the iust persons themselues ought to thinke themselues so much more bound to walke in the way of iustice in that they Rom. 6 c being now deliuered from sinne and made seruantes to Almightie God by liuing Tit. 2 d soberly iustly and godly may profitte and goe forwarde through Christ Iesus by Rom. 5 a whome they haue had accesse into this grace For God doth not Aug de nat grat c. 26. Prosp senten 7. ad cap. Gallor ad 7. obiect VinceÌ„t forsake those that are once Iustified with his grace vnlesse he be first forsaken by theÌ„ No maÌ„ therfore ought to flatter himselfe Chry. ho. 3. 9. in Io. hom 70. in Mat. in Psal â—10 l. 1. cont vit â—p Monast vit Fulg. l. 2. de remis pec c. 1. Greg. ho. 29. in Euang. lib. 33. moral cap. 7. Aug. de gra l. arbit cap. 8. Cyr. lib. 10. in Ioan. cap. 16. See the third questioÌ„ of sines against the holy-Ghost 316. and the 1. quaestioÌ„ of good workes 348. with only Faith thinking that by only Faith he is made heire and shall obtaine the inheritance although bee suffer not with Ro. 8 c CHRIST that so he may be also glorified with Christ For eueÌ„ Christ himselfe as the Apostle Heb. 5 â— saith Whereas he was the sonne of God he learned by those thinges which he suffered obedience and being consummate was made to all those that obey him cause of eternall saluation And for that cause the Apostle himselfe admonisheth the iustified saying 1. Cor. 9 d Knowe you not that they that runne in the race all runne in deed but one receiueth the prise So runne that you may obtaine I therefore so runne not as it were at an vncertaine thing so I fight not as it were beating the aire But I chastise my body and bring it into seruitude least perhaps wheÌ„ I haue preched to others my selfe become a reprobate Also the Prince of the Apostles S. PETER 2. Pet. 1 b Brethren labour the more that by good workes you may make sure your vocation election for doing these thinges you shall not sinne at any time Whereby it appeareth that they goe against the true doctrine of the Catholik Religion who say that a iust man in euery good worke sinneth at least Iob. 1 d 2 c Mat. 6 c Luc. 11 c 1. Cor. 7 c 2 Pet. 1 b 1. Io. 3 a 5 d Amb. in cap 1. Luc. Orig. ho. 2. in Luc. venially or which is more intolerable that he deserueth euerlasting paines as they also doe erre who holde that iust men doe sinne in al their works if in theÌ„ for to excite their owne sloth and to encourage themselues to runne in the rase hauing withall their principall end that God may be glorified they haue also a regard to the eternal 1. Cor. 9 d Heb. 11 b c 13 c Col. 1 a 3 d Mat. 4 c 5 a 10 d Luc. 6 c 14 c 16 b 1. Tim. 4 c 2. Paral. 15 b Eccli 12 a 18 c Ephes 6 b 2. Thes 1 b Gal. 6 b. Aug praefat in Psa 31. in Ps 93.120 Cyp. epist 9.16.56 reward whereas it is written Psal 118 o I haue enclined my heart to doe thy Iustifications for the reward And of MOYSES the Apostle saith that Heb. 11 c He looked vnto the remuneration 16 That the rashe presumption of Predestination is to be auoided MOreouer no maÌ„ so long as he liueth in this mortality ought so farre to presume of the secret mysterie Aug. lib. 6. c. 7. 8. Hypog de con ep grat cap. 13. Prosp ad 12 obiect Vinc. Greg. ho. 38 in Euang. Ber. ser 2. in octa Pasch of Gods predestination that he doe assuredly persuade himselfe that he is of the nuÌ„ber of the predestinate as though it were true that he which is iustified either Mat. 24. b Ezech. 18. f Aug. haer 82. Hier. l. 2. adu Iouin cap. 1.2 Aug. de correp grat cap. 6. 7. de don perseu cap. 6. lib. 6. de Gen. ad lit c. 28. Prosp ad 24. obiect Vincent Bern. ep 42. Cyr. lib. 10. in Io. cap. 16. Theoph. in c. 26. Mat. Conc. Vien in Clem. ad nostrum de haeret can sinne no more or if hee shall sinne ought to promise himselfe Fulgent de fid ad Pet. cap. 3. Bern. serm 38. ex paruis Aug. tract 33. in Ioan See the 3. question of sinnes against the holy Ghost page 315. assured recouerie and amendment For it cannot be knowne but by speaciall reuelation whom God hath chosen vnto himselfe 17 Of the gifte of perseuerance IN like manner concerning the gifte of perseuerance whereof it is written He Matth. 10 c 24 b that shall perseuer vnto the end he shall be saued Which gifte certes can no Aug. de don perseu cap. 1. 13. de corrept grat c. 6. other-where be had but of him that is able Ro. 14 a to make him which standeth so to stand that he may stand perseuerantly to restore him that falleth no man can Aug. ho. 35. ex 50. lib. 11. de ciuit Dei cap. 12. l. 20. c. 7. ep 121. c. 2. Chry. ho 11 in epist ad Philip. Amb. in Ps 37. Bern. ser de duplici Baptismo promise himselfe any assurance with absolute certaintie though all men ought to place and settle a most firme confidence in the helpe of al mightie God For God except they theÌ„selues be wanting vnto his grace as hee hath begunne Phil. 1 a a good worke so hee will perfitte it Phil. 2 b working both to will and to accomplishe Howbeit 1. Cor. 10 12. Rom. 10 c Aug. ep 107 de don perseuer cap. 8.
containe suffered vnder PONTIVS PILATE IT sheweth that Christ when hee had made an ende of his most excellent teaching working of miracles Act. 10 37. Mat. 27 50. Mar. 15 24. Esa 50 6. 53 1. Ioh. 1 29. Heb. 7 26. 1. Pet. 1 19. 2 22. Ap. 1 18. 1. Tim. 6 13 Rom. 5 6. Ioa. 15 13. did at last accōplishe his conflicte and agony for the Redemption of vs that were perished Therefore although hee were a most innocent and vnspotted Lambe yea and God also immortal yet to shew his passing great charity towards vs hee suffered (a) Io. 18 4. 19 11. 3 14 12 32. Mat. 27 27. Mar. 15 16. Luc. 23 14. Io. 19 16. Act. 13 28. willingly of most wicked persons all manner of extreame and bitter torments wherevpon he neither eschewed the most vniuste iudgement of the wicked Iudge PILATE nor yet the most shamefull and (b) Sap. 2 12 Heb. 12 2. Phil. 2 8. Rom 5 6. Mat. 27 60. Tit. 2 14. Gal. 1 4. Esa 53 12. opprobrious punishment of the CROSSE vndertaking a most cruell death for vs not refusing to bee buried in an other mannes monument to the intent that both liuing and dying hee might giue and imploy himselfe wholly for the behoofe of mortall men Which Passion of Christ (c) 1. Pet. 1 18. 1. Io. 1 7. Ap. 1 5. Eph. 1 7. Bloude Crosse Wounds and Death doe continually yeeld comforte health vertue and life vnto sinners yet so that wee obay and (d) Ro. 8 17. 2. Cor. 1 7. 2. Tim. 2 11 suffer together with our Head that so wee may also bee glorified with him For he being (e) Heb. 5 9. consummate was made to all that obay him cause of eternall saluation 12 What vse profite is there in that we frame the Crosse of Christ with our fingers do signe our fore-head there-withall THis Ceremony surely both the piety of men of (a) Tert. cor mil. cap. 3. Bas de spir sa cap. 27. Aug. de Catech rud ca. 20. tra in Io. 118. Naz. ogat 3. Hieron ad Eustoc de virg ser ep 22. ca. 16. ad Fabiol de veste sac ep 128. in Ezech. 9. Chrysost ho. 55. in Mat. Hist trip l. 6. c. 1. Essr de vera paen cap. 3. Orig. ho 8. in diuers Euang. Ruff. lib. 2. hist cap. 29 Niceph. lib. 18. cap. 20. Cyril catech 4. 13. illū Chrysost in demonst quod Christ sit Deus ancient time passed and the constant custome of the Church doth commende vnto vs. And first of all wee are hereby stirred vp to a thankefull remembrance of the most high mystery benefite which was for our sakes accomplished vpon the Crosse and most bountifully bestowed vpō vs. Then we are prouoked to fixe settel the true and holy glory and the Ancker of our saluation in the Crosse of our LORD Furthermore this is a testimonie that we haue no communication with the enemies of Christes Crosse IEWES or HEATHENS but doe freely professe against all such him whom we serue our Lord Iesus and him crucified By this signe also we are moued to the studie of Patience that if we be desirous of eternal glory as surely we ought all to bee wee doe not think much to imbrace that Crosse which we honour and the way of the same Crosse (b) Mat. 16 24. Luc. 9 23. 1. Pet. 3 14.17 2 19. with Christ our Captaine Moreouer we fetch from hence victorious armour (c) Atha in vita Ant. Hieron in Hilarion Ignat. ad Philip. against Satan long since subdued by the vertue of the Crosse yea so we are fensed against all the aduersaries of our welfare Finally that wee may the more happily take any (d) Ambros serm 43. thing in hand and finde more prosperous successe in all our actions wee take vnto vs this noble and triumphant ensigne of the Crosse and expecting in this signe to get (e) Euseb li. 1. 2. de vita Constan Nice l 8 c. 3. l. 7 c. 47. et 49. the victory we do not doubt often times to say In the name of the †Father of the Sonne and of the Holy-Ghost 13 What woulde the fifth Article haue vs to beleeue He descended into Hell Ps 15 10. Zach. 9 11. 1. Pet. 3 19. Col 2 15. Eccli 24 45. Act. 2 24. Ose 13 14. Iren. l 5 c. 31 Aug ep 99 57. quaes 1 l. 20. ciu c. 15 ser 137. de tēp Hier. in c 4. ad Eph. in Ose 13. Tert. l. 2. cont Mar. cap. 4. Mat 12 29. Heb. 2 14. Mar. 16 9. Ap. 1 5.18 Io 2 19. Col. 1 18. 1. Cor. 15 8 and rose againe IT teacheth vs that Christ after he was dead vpon the Crosse did penetrate in Soule euen downe to Hell that he might both shew himselfe a conquerour of death and the deuill also a deliuerer of the Fathers that were detained in Limbo but that according to his bodie wherein hee had lyen in the Sepulcher the third day after when it pleased him to returne triumphantly from Hel he by his own power arose again vnto life being immortal and glorious and the first borne of the dead By which wonderfull worke he doth comfort instruct vs that the Electe are deliuered out of the power of death hell and the diuell and hee doth offer and commend vnto all men such grace and fauour of rising againe that those which beleeue truly in Christ may rise from (a) Ro. 6 4. Col. 3 1. Phil. 3 20 Eph. 4 22. 1. Pet. 1 3. vice to vertue frō the the death of sinne vnto the life of grace and finally in the (b) 1. Cor. 15 22. end of the world from the death of the bodie to an immortal life For he which (c) 2. Cor. 4 14. 1. Thes 4 14 raised vp IESVS will raise vp vs also with IESVS 14 What signifieth the sixt Article He ascended into Heauen Ps 67 19.33 46 6. 8 2. Mar. 16 19 Io. 3 13. Act. 1 1. Eph. 4 8. 12 6. 1 20. Col. 3 1. Heb. 1 3 1. Pet. 2 4. 1. Io. 2 1. Io. 20 17. It sheweth that our Lord Iesus after that hee had finished the worke of mans Redemption and appeared aliue againe vnto his Disciples and confirmed with many arguments the trueth of his Resurrection at the last on the forty day after ascended into heauen that according to his humane nature he might bee exalted aboue all thinges and himselfe alone aboue all others renowmed and honored of al men Therefore our Lord IESVS (a) Ps 109 8 Act. 7 55. Luc. 22 69. 1. Cor. 15 25. Eph. 1 20. Mat 28 18. sitteth in heauen on the right hand of the power of God exercising equall power with the father gouerning al things wholly shining with diuine Maiesty which is indeede (b) Aug lib. de si
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
in hist Barl. cap. 19. l. 3. Parall c. 45. Amb. iib. 4. sacr cap. 4. 5. Cyril l. 4. in Ioan. cap. 13. Pet. Clun lib. 1. ep 2. spake and they were made he commaunded and they were created And he saide in that supper which was prepared the daye before his passion when he had taken the breade first and then the (e) Luc. 22 Mar. 14 Mat. 26 1 Cor. 11 Iust Apol. 2. Iren. l. 4. cap. 32. 34. Iuuenc li. 4. Euang. hist Tert. l. 5. cōt Marc. cap. 8. Chalice into his hands when his meaning was to assure euery mā both of the institution of this Sacrament also of the trueth therof he I say most plainly and expresly said (f Luc. 22 This is my bodye which is giuen for you he saide This (g) Mar. 14 Mat. 26. is my blood that shall be shed for many Concerning which institution he saide also before (h) Ioan. 6 vide Hil. 8. de Trin. Cyr. in Io. l. 4. c. 16. Orig. ho. 8. in Nū Emis ho. 5. de Pasc Leo. ser 6. de ieiun sept mens Cabil 2. c. 46. My fleshe is meate indeede and my bloode is drinke indeede he saide I am the (i) Ibid. vide Cyril lib. 4. in Io. ca. 15. liuing breade that came downe from heauen If any man eate of this breade he shall liue for euer (k) Ibidem vide Cyril l. 4. c. 12. Theoph. in cap. 6. Io. in 14. Mar. Pet. Clun l. 1. ep 2. and the bread which I will giue is my fleshe for the life of the worlde Neither are other testimonies of the Euangelists the Apostle S. PAVL (l) 1. Cor. 10 16. 11 13 obscure or harde to be known which do euidently auouch this faith vnto vs that no mā may doubt (m) Epip in Ancorato Cyr. catech 4. myst Chry. ho. 83 in Mat. Leo. ser 6. de ieiun septimi mensis but that Christ according both to his diuine and humane nature is wholly in the Eucharist and doth remaine with vs euen to the end of the (n) Mat. 28. Conc. Vien in Clem. tit de relig vener sanct world Therfore (o) Aug. in Ps 98. 33. Pros de promis p. 2. c. 25 we haue and doe receiue in the Churches the very same fleshe of Christ that was (p) Chrys ho. 2. in 2. Tim. 24. in 1. Cor. apud Damasc lib. 2. Parall c. 50. Presbyteri Achaiae in hist S. Andr. seene in times past in Palestine present with men But the same heere in this place is neither apparant vnto the senses nor subiecte to any transmutation and corruption as being inuisible impassible immortall shining with most excellente diuine glory which at this time we can not any otherwise beholde then with the eies of faith but the Saintes in heauen doe clearely see with wonderful delight pleasure And notwithstanding this there be yet certaine sacramentaries O horrible often (q) Synod 2 Nicen. act 6. tom 3. Rom. Vercell sub Leone 9. Turon sub Victor 2. Rom. sub Nicolao 2. Rom. sub Gregor 7. Constant sess 8. in artic 3. Ioannis Wicleff Trid. ses 13. can 1. condemned impietie who whilest they can not reach with their senses this mysterie more to be adored then searched they dare euen to deny the same marueilously deprauing the wordes of the Gospell although most plaine and euident Which indeed is nothing else but euen as it were to take the sunne out of the worlde and to spoile Gods spouse the Church of the moste pretious treasure of her true louer and to bereaue the faithfull of the breade of life that there may be nothing at all wherby their poore banished soules may be fedde and sustained in the deserte of this worlde 5 And what is to be thought touching Transubstantiation TWo thinges are heere principally to be considered plainlie professed the one is that the Prieste who consecrateth (a) Con. Later cap. 1. Chrys lib. 3. de sacerd Hier. ad Heliod ep 1. ca. 7. 85. ad Euag. the Eucharist must bee lawfully ordered the other is that there is so much force and efficacie in those mystical consecratory (b) Iust Apo 2. Iren. l. 5. c. 2. Amb. li. 4. de sacr ca. 4. de iis qui mysteriis initiantur c. 9. Aug. ser 28. de verb. Do. Cypr. de caena Dom. Chrys ho. 2. in 2. Tim. de prod Iudae vide Bessarionem hac de re Nyss in orat catech cap. 37. orat de Bapt. Prosp de consid distinct 2. cap. Nos autem words whereby such a Priest doeth in Christs roome cōsecrate the bread and wine vpon the Aultar that the bread is sodainly (c) Euseb Emiss ho. 5. de Pasc Cypr. ser de caena Do. Cyr. Hieros Catec myst 1. 3. 4. Amb. l. 5. de sacr cap. 4. li. 4. cap. 4. 5. li. 4. de fide c. 5. Chry. in Mat. ho. 83. de Encaen Damasc lib 4. cap. 14. Pet. Clun lib. 1. ep 2. changed into the body and the wine into the blood of our Lorde A very wonderfull transmutation indeede to be measured onlie by faith which is broughte to passe by the omnipotent power of Christ working by those verye words it is not without cause called by the holy Catholike Church Transubstantiation (d) Con. Later c. 1. Trid. ses 13. c. 4. can 2. Rom. sub Greg. 7. Const ses 8. artic 1. 2. Item Flor. Conc. Lanfranc because the substance of breade wine is most certainly conuerted into the body and blood of Christ For if the speach of ELIAS were of such force to cause fier to come from heauen shall not the speach of Christ for this collection hath S. AMBROSE (e) Ambr. de iis qui myst init c. 9. l. 4. de sac c. 4. made be of force to change the substance of the Elements of the works of the wholl worlde thou hast reade he (f) Ps 148 5. spake and they were made he cōmanded and they were created The speach therfore of Christ which was able to make of nothing that which was not before is it not able to change those thinges which are already into that which they were not for it is no lesse to giue new natures to thinges then to change natures And ther is nothing more euident then the speach of Christ saying (g) Mat. 26 26. Mar. 14 22. ibid. Theoph. in 6. cap. Ioan. Greg. Nyss orat catech c. 37. Guit. mund lib. 3. this is my body this is my blood in so much as there is no place at all lefte of suspition that after consecration ther is bread wine remaining in the Eucharist 6 Ought we to reuerence and adore this Sacrament YEa (a) Aug. in Ps 98. Amb. lib. 3. de spir san cap. 12. Mat. 4 10. Ap. 14 7. 19 10. 22 9.
And yet more greeuously doe they sin who do manifestly make a gain vnto thēselues of an other mans filthinesse (c) Deut. 23 18. as bauds do or such as dare giue lodgeing harbour vnto theeues or notorious dishonest and factious persons where they may haue couer for thēselues or for their things 11 When doe we by defending committe an alien sinne VVHen we either protect malefactours or defend and publishe an other mans doctrine though it be peruerse and wicked When also by our care and endeuour we labour to further maintaine that which is appointed against equitie and Iustice Against such persons there thundreth out this diuine oracle Woe (a) Esa 5 20. 10 1. vnto you that call euill good and good euill making darkenes light light darkenes making bitter sweete and sweet bitter And againe Thou (b) Exod. 23 2. shalt not follow the multitude to doe euill neither shalt thou in iudgement yeelde to the sentence of many so to decline from the truth And this shall suffice touching Alien sinnes as they call thē which now certes in those daies doe reach very farre and are ouer licentiously committed euery daye espeacially by Magistrates And there is commonly so litle heede taken of them that most men doe thinke them not to be sinnes at all nor make any accounte of thē although often times with the filthe of these sinnes they defile and make guilty of perpetuall torments both their owne and other mens consciences And al these kindes mentioned before may be reduced to three kindes and in few words comprehended as sheweth S. BASIL (c) Bas ser 2. de Bap. ca. 9. For that we fall into the participation of an other mans error or sinne it commeth to passe either by Deede and Acte or by Will onely and a certaine purpose of the minde or by some carelesse negligence if at anie time others be defrauded of the duty that we owe in admonishing them and seeking their amendment But the worste kinde of sinning of all others without comparison is when a man sinneth against the holy-Ghost OF SINNES AGAINST THE HOLY-GHOST 1 What is a sinne against the Holy-Ghost Vide S. Tho mam in 2.2 quaest 14. IT is malitiously and contemptuously to reiecte the grace and liberality of God beeing offered which grace certes is peculiarly attributed to the holy-Ghost as to the fountaine of all goodnesse And this is to sinne without any remedy or redresse insomuch that according to the speech of Christ for such so great a sinne no forgiuenesse is obtained either (a) Mat. 12 31. Mar. 3 28. Luc. 12 10. in this worlde or in the worlde to come For after this maner Almighty God dealeth with vs that he giueth neither grace vpon earth nor glory in Heauen to anie other but vnto those onelie which hauing once knowne sinne doe detest it setting before their eies that which is good doe make choise of a righteous course of life But from these sinnes farre is banished both detestation of sinne and the choise also of that good which were to bee followed and that moreouer is cleane reiected whereby the holy-Ghost doth vse of his singular grace to withdrawe a man from sinne And for this reason they which are fettered with such kind of sinnes doe either neuer get the grace of God or seldome and very hardly For these sinnes are not committed of humane imbecillitie frailtie which were to sinne against the Father and the might and power of the Father as we see in S. PETER (b) Mat. 26 74. Vide Greg. lib. 25. Mor. cap. 16. the Apostle who denied Christ nor yet of ignorāce which were to sinne against the Sonne the wisdome of the Sōne as was SAVL (c) 1. Tim. 1 13. Act 9 1. his case when he persecuted the Church but that which is farre worse without comparison these sinnes are committed of malice and obstinacie of minde as we see for example in those most peruerse and obstinate Pharisies 2 How many sinnes are there against the holy Ghost THere are of that kinde accounted sixe and their names commonly vsed are these Presumption of the mercie of God or of the impunitie of sinne Desperation Oppugning of the knowne truth Enuying of brotherly charitie Obstinacie and impenitencie But more plainly and significantly they may be thus numbred 1 Confidently to abuse the mercie of God 2 Vtterly to despaire of the grace of God or of his owne saluation 3 Rebelliouslye to oppugne the truth of religion against his owne conscience 4 Vehemently to be moued with a setled Enuy because of the encrease of saluation vertue in his brother 5 With an obstinate minde to persiste wittingly in a faulte 6 Without purpose of amēdment neuer to make an end of a lewd and peruerse kinde of life 3 What manner of presumption maketh a sinne against the holy Ghost Greg. in c. 3. lib. 1. reg l 33. mor. c. 15. l. 6. ep 22. Fulg. de fid ad Pet. cap. 3. Bern. serm 38. ex paruis THat which maketh a man to trust only in the mercie of God and to be hardened and emboldened to sinne all manner of respect of Gods Iustice and feare being laid aside And thus certes doe very many sinne at this day who flattering themselues with an only faith (a) Aug. de fid op c. 14. 22. in Ench. ca. 67. haer 54. Hier. in c. 4. Osc in Christ doe like beastes (b) Ioel. 1 17 wallow and rotte in the middest of the filth of sinnes and not to themselues only but to others also dare promise (c) 2. Pet. 2 18 Eccles 8 14. Conc. Trid. sess 6. cap. 9. can 12.13.14 Hier. in cap. 4. Dan. securitie if only they haue confidence in the merites of Christ in the grace of God apprehended by faith although in the meane time the fruites (d) Luc. 3 8.9 13 3. Mat. 3 8.10 Act. 26 20. Eccli 2 22. of penance be nothing regarded But to all these doth the doctor of the Gentiles cry out Doest thou contemne saith hee the riches of the goodnes of God and patience (e) Ro. 2 4. Eccles 8 11. Eccli 15 21. Aug. trac 33 in Ioan. ho. 50. ex 50. ca 4. Isid de sum bo lib. 2. cap. 13. and longanimitie not knowing that the benignitie of God bringeth thee to penance And for that cause he in an other place is so farre (f) 1. Cor. 13 1 off frō willing men to vaunt of only faith that he biddeth euen the faithfull thēselues euery one to worke their saluation with feare and (g) Phil. 2 12 Psal 2 11. Pro. 28 14. Rom. 11 20 1. Cor. 4 4. 10 12. trembling commending vnto them a faith not deade and idle as Sainte (h) Iac. 2 14. IAMES calleth it but liuely effectuall which worketh duely by (i) Gal. 5 6. charitie Against this abominable sinne thus
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
the people to vnderstand that the Pope graunteth leaue to sinne before-hand and too easely remitteth that which he should seuerely punish and that which is a horrible blasphemie that he doth make by his Pardon 's any thing lawfull vnto vs be it in it selfe neuer so repugnant to Gods holy commandementes Let vs compare our pardons with theirs our Iubeleis with theirs our remissions with theirs And to beginne first with Confession it is very well knowen in their iudgement for the moste parte to be accounted a thing little agreable with nature it selfe how many sinfull thoughtes doe they harbour how many shamefull blasphemous and iniurious wordes doe they vtter alwaies excepting some fewe of more ciuill and naturall disposition How many brutish actes doe they commit which they would neuer fall into or at the least they would auoide in parte if besides the iudgement of God before which all hidden thinges of darkenesse shall be lightened 1. Cor. 4 5. and all counsailes of hartes shall be manifested they knew they were to make before a man and a sinner perhaps as greate as themselues so straite and particular account I my selfe when I liued in my owne Countrey haue had sufficient experience of diuers whō neither loue of the worlde could with-hold nor custome of sinne allure nor feare of lawes keepe backe yet the onely shame of Confession could as I thinke doth as yet detaine from the vnitie of the Catholicke Church as our vnderstanding is often blinded by an infected wil maketh thē not to acknowledge in hart that which is the onely truth Let vs then goe to another condition And examine their austere kind of life strict satisfactiō to Almightie God And as for Fasting what better signe of a good Protestant then to eate flesh on the Friday without iudging betweene day and day For Almes if we mighte haue the Voices of all those which are poore needie in our Countrey in whom this gloriouse vertue doth more shine whether in Catholickes or in Protestants it would soone appeare what incomparable difference there is But for Praier I appeale to all greate house keepers or those which are the generall harbourers of all sortes of men yea and vnto all other persons who conuerse indifferentlye abroade whether if a man be not otherwise knowen to be a Protestāt it be not a manfest probability of a Papist to say his praiers deuoutly vpon his knees at his bedd-sid either morning or euening Sure I am that there be many honest matrons and diuerse simple persons amongst the Protestants who after the example of CORNELIVS Act. 10 2. endeuour according to their knowledge to serue Almightie God and to attend to workes of Charitie and Prayer whom I hope GOD doth now dispose by little and little with his preuenting-grace to receiue one day a perfecte knowledge of his will when they may by his cooperating-grace with such good workes builde vnto euerlasting saluation which in their present estate Heb. 11 6. Rom. 14 23 they cannot But euen these doe I call to witnesse earnestly intreating them for the honor of God without all vaine-glory as they haue little cause therof to shewe howe many examples they haue seene of the like deuotions Then let vs examine whether at the least there be to be found some great cause of Pardon and Indulgence which we propounded in the sixt place as necessarie in our remissions And perhappes wee shal find some building of Hospitals some erecting of Churches some enterprise against the Turkes the enemies of Christ and of Christendome some solemne and generall praier for the necessities of the Church which are the causes ordinarily pretended in our Indulgences But on our aduersaries side howe the matter doth stand the miserable ruines of antiquities doe shewe their rauenous gaping after Ecclesiasticall goodes doe testifie their intolerable vexations of their poore neighbours doe crie Exod. 22 23. vp to Heauen But these be outwarde thinges Confession Penance Workes of Deuotion It may be that the intenall things as Sorrowe purpose of Amendment a seuere examinatiō of their Actions Words and Thoughts doe so much excell that there can be no neede of those outwarde Ceremonies Espeacially whereas now the time is come when we must serue God in spirite and trueth And yet there is nothing lesse For howe can they settle themselues to the particular searche of their sinnes who neither purpose to Confesse them particularly to the Priest God knowing them already more particularly than themselues and besides if they stande to their Maisters doctrine maintaine that al our works are sins if God straitly examine them So that if this be credited they need not seeke to sort the good deeds from the badde But for purpose of keeping Gods Commaundementes they shoulde highly deceiue themselues if euer they should make it For they holde it an impossible thing to obserue the same And as for sorrowe that they thinke not necessary For that METANOIA which they cannot deny because it is so often commended vnto vs in the Scriptures they will not haue to signifie a sorrowefull repentance Beza vpon Mat. 3. and Luther ser de poenit but a RESIPISCENCE or waxing wise againe which God graunt they may doe without any sorrowe or affliction of minde for that which is past And although some of their Doctours doe require such sorrowe yet neither will they haue it the cause of remission of sinnes nor necessary for such effecte But onely they require Faith as a necessary sufficient cause after which as they most absurdly say by a necessary sequell followeth this sorrowe euen whether wee will or no. And yet here must I needes craue pardon if I say that they are also voide of Faith For there can be but one Ephes 4 5. Heretickes haue no Faith Faith and hee which denieth one pointe of Faith although hee giue credite to the rest that is not a Diuine Faith but a humane perswasion whereas if it were that Supernaturall Faith and Theological Vertue which is Conc. Araus 2. c. 5. necessarie for to beleeue a right it would encline a man to beleeue all thinges which God hath spoken as well as one Wherefor it is an infallible verity Concil Trid. sess 6. cap. 15. See page 479. that euē as grace is lost by euery mortall sinne so by infidelity in one only pointe the wholle substance of Faith doth perishe Nowe where there is not Diuine Faith how can there be a diuine hope Hope beeing grounded in Faith as S. PAVL Heb. 11 4. saith which although they brag neuer so much of their Iustification by Faith so long as in any one thing they dissent from the Church they cannot haue Wherefore although I might say that they require nothing at all for their iustification because they cannot beeing as they are haue so much as Faith the beginning foundation of all disposition thereunto yet supposing that they were in the right Faith consider good Reader who forgiueth