what impossibilities they be bound by the beleefe of their sect for as touching the Catholique rule of beleefe I will make no mention of the same it beeing held of no valuation by the biblists But to the end the consequences I am to deduce out of the antecedents of the biblists may be more euident I will sett downe those antecedents deuided into these subsequent propositions that it may manifestly appeare to the vew of euery biblists eie how sincearlie purely I treate the question Propositions 1. ALl Christians in generall particular may err in faith 2. All councells yea the pastors of the whole church of Christ assembled in a generall councell approued by the bishop of Roome may err in their decrees about faith 3. Ech Christian if he call vpon the holy ghost as he ought to doe mâ—â— examin the doctrine of all men whom soeuer without error confronteing the same with the scriptures so censure of himself whether the said doctrine of what soeuer men euen of generall councells doe agree with the bible or disagre from it then accept or reiect the faine 4. There is no other way to know for certain which is the truth in matter of faith then by the meanes of praire to consult the holie ghost out of the bible But in all the subsequent consequences which are to be deduced out of these propositions of the biblists we require that they graunt vs this one assertion to witt 5. That Christian faith excludeth all doubts and is certaine infallible But wee are heere to note by the way that the biblists are wont to moderate the first propositions for they affirme that none cann err in faith if he agree with the sacred scripture also that none can disagree from the sacred scripture if the holy ghost doe assist him they auerr moreouer that none can be forsaken by the holy ghost if he call vpon him as he ought to doe but for as much as they auouch that it may fall out that some one may not cal vpon the holy ghost as he ought to doe consequently it may follow that all ech one may be abandoned of the holy ghost so also consequently disagree from the bible err in faith THE THIRD CHAPTER Necessarie consequences deduced out of the precedent propositions out of which it is euident what à taske ech biblist is tied vnto SEing then that this is a biblist taske to consult the holy ghost out of the scriptures for censuring of doctrines which apperteine to faith yt makes much to the purpose to set doune how greate a charge this is which they take vpon them how farr it extendeth lest in so waightie a busines as is this of eternall saluation inconsideration plunge them into perdition The first consequence ALl Christians generall councels may err in faith Therfore no Christian ought in matter of faith to beleeue any man or councell Proofe THe consequence I proue thus Because true certaine faith ought to leaue it self on an infallible authoritie but the authoritie of all men councells is supposed by the biblists to be subiect to errors Therfore in this case no men ought to be beleeued Nor doth it cutt the sinewes of the consequence to reply That men generalls councel bee to be beleeued so far as their doctrine doth concord to the scriptures for seing that they may also disagree from the same the case becommeth doubtfull then the holy ghost is to be consulted out of the Bible to the ende we may certainlie know whether they agree to the word of God or disagre from the same for that this doctrine consenteth to the bible or dissenteth from it apperteineth not to the credence of men bur to the holy ghost inwardly teaching vs out of the bible what wee are to beleeue The Second consequence THere is no other meanes for certainlie to know which is the truth in matter of faith then by way of deuout prayres to consult the holy ghost out of the bible Therfore no Christian can beleeue the articles of faith except by a special praire he first consult the holie ghost out of the bible whether those articles of faith be conforme to the same or no Proofe THe consequence is cleere because the doctrine of all Christians about matters of faith be they considered seuerall or assembled can not be iudiged to be either true or false if praire be not first made to consult the holy ghost out of the bible neither doth the holie ghost otherwise teach Christians the truth saue out of the bible therfore it is to be concluded according to this biblist rule that no Christian can beleeue the articles of faith if he doe not first consult the holy ghost about the same out of the scripture by à preuiall praire made to that effect Nor doth it in ualidate the consequence to reply that they credit their ministers propounding vnto them the word of God or doctrine glossed out of the bible for that minister may err in faith ther fore he that heareth his doctrine is bound in conscience ere he beleeue the same to consult the holy ghost by praire out of the scripture to know wether it agree with the word of God or not The Third consequence NO Christian can beleeue the articles of faith except by à preuial praire he councell the holie ghost out of the scripture Therfore those Biblists who be vnder age or want leisure or meanes to reede the bible or can not reade at all or can gett no bible to reede consult the holie ghost ther out can not haue anie true faith Proofe THis consequence can not be improued because a biblist admitteth no other rule of beleefe saue this of consulting the holy ghost out of his bible Nor is it to the purpose to reply that they haue their parsons whose charge is to expound them the word of God for these may be deceiued deceiue wherfore there doctrine is first to be examined by euere Christian whether it agree to the word of God or not ere he consent to the same which is to be done in consulting the holy ghost out of the bible by prayres first made as biblists say The Fourth consequence ALl Christian generall councells may err in faith Say the Biblists Therfore all Christians generall councels might also haue erred in there decrees about the Canon of the sacred bookes of the Bible which graunted it may be doubted whether that the biblist haue the true scriptures or no. Proofe THe consequence is aparant for the decree about the Canon of sacred bookes concerneth matter of faith yea the waightiest among al the matters of faith Therfore the church might haue erred when in the yeare of our lord 494. she made à decree in the councell held at Roome of 70 Bishops vnder Pope Gelasius the first touching the canon of canonical bookes of both testaments those that the said councell censured
A CENSVRE ABOVT THE RVLE OF BELEEFE PRACTISED BY THE PROTESTANTS VVritten in Latine by the most Reuerend Father VALERIAN MAGNI OF MILAN of the order of the Minors of the Seraphical S. Francis named Capucins And translated into English by R. Q. Gentleman Mathew cap. 18. If he heare not the Church as let him be to thee as the heathen and the Publican Printed at Doway By LAVRENCE KELLAM at the signe of the holie Lambe 1634. THE PREFACE TO THE READER ALBEIT that all Christians who now inhabite the world beleeue in God beleeue in Iesus Christ beleeue the holy scriptures yet they be seuered into two parts The one doubteth not to receiue the sence of the sacred text as the Church doth propound teach heereto they conforme their faith And these be calde Catholiques The other part supposing the authoritie of the Church to be fallible obnoxious to errors teacheth that ech Christian may yea ought in matter concerning faith censure the doctrine of the whole church by the sacred scriptures so either receiue or refuse the same these euer were are now at this present branded with the name of hereticks which error in regard that many learned diuines haue clearlie confuted and confounded both by the authoritie of sacred Scriptures as also by that of councels fathers other arguments tending to the purpose I intend not in such a sence to debate this question but only to note sett doune what absurdities doe necessarilie ensew the said rule of beleefe which misbeleeuing Christiās as Lutherans Protestants Puritans c. haue forged to them selues in the shopp of their self conceite to found their faith there-vpon which howbeit many haue performed before mee yet if I be not mistaken no one hath on sett purpose treated of the same Therefore I deeme not my labour ill spent though otherwise busied in affaires of imporrance to imparte tyme to this worke which I will doe in as few words as may be And this as all things els for the honour glorie of our Sauiour Christ his most holie mother to whom not vnmindfull of their benefitts I haue vowed whatsoeuer I sett downe in writinge though neare someane small Fare well freindly reader recommend mee in thy prayres to God APPROBATIO TRactatus iste de regula fidei scriptus primo Latinè à venerabili viro P. Valeriano Magni Mediolanensi Ordinis Sancti Capucinorum in idioma Anglicanum fideliter translatus nihil habet à fide bonisque moribus dissonum sed dignissimus est qui typis edatur ad institutionem eorum qui diligunt viam veritatis Ita saluo semper superiorum iudicio censebam 10. Iunij 1634. F. Leander de S. Martino Sacrae Theologiae Doctor Congregationis Angliae Benedictinorum Prases Generalis linguae Sanctae in Academia Duacena Regius Professor THE FIRST CHAPTER The question is propounded about the rule of beleefe A RVLE is an instrument according to which those that draw lines doe necessarilie draw thē straighte which translated to Religion yt is termed the rule of beleefe which christians following can not err in Matters of beleefe And from this controuersie about the rule of beleefe all other controuersies concerning matter of faith which are betwene catholiques not catholiques seeme to be deriuede which if it were but once welle agreed vpō all christians might be reconciled togeather vnited in one true faith for all Christians as well catholiques as not Catholiques though in many pointes they disagree frō ech other yet in some they also agree euen in this matter it self about the rule of beleefe which I will by order sett doune First all doe iointly affirme that the written word of God is true infallible 2. That who so propoundeth any doctrine contrary to the sacred scriptures is in no wise to be credited be he man or Angell S. Paul or S. Gabriel 3. That all and ech one is vndoubtedly to bee beleeued in matter of faith if his doctrine disagree not from the word of God 4. That no man be he who he will can attaine to the true sence of sacred writt except he be inwardly enlightned taught by the holy ghost 5. No man can disagree from the word of God if he be inwardly enlightned taught by the holy Ghost Seeing then that not only Catholiques but also all sortes of Christians of those that be no Catholiques conspire in the veritie of these 5. propositions nor is there any one of so self an opinion that can call the same in doubt It resteth we discuss whome among all these the holy gost doth certainlie infallibly assist that they err not in the expounding of the true sence of the sacred scripture There be two opinions of Christians now adayes that striue about this question The one is of those who certainly without doubt doe beleeue that the church doth propound vnto the Christian world the true sence of the sacred scripture these that doe thus beleeue be caled Catholiques The other is of those sects of Christians ech one of which doth à part separatly by himself consult the holy ghost out of the scriptures so censure what doctrine doth in matter of faith consent to the word of God and what doth dissent from it these are and euer were termed held of Catholiques for hereticks And of these sorts of Christians there are at this present sundry sorts wherof the chiefe are Lutherans Caluenists Protestants Anabaptists c. All which be againe subdiuided minced into many pettie sects whose names for breuitie sake I omitt But for as much as all these forenamed Christians consent in this opinion that they make it the rule of their faith to consult the holy ghost out of the bible consisting of the old the new testament wee will hereafter to include them all grace them with the title of Biblists The Catholiques distinguish the church into two parts wherof the one conteineth pastors the other sheepe They be termed Bishops these al other faithfull beleeuers The iurisdictions of Bishops in the Catholique church are subordinated for manie Bishops be vnder one Archbishop many Archbishops vnder one patriarch among whome the Bishop of Roome beareth the primacie al these may be considered either ech one apart or altogether as they be lawfully assembled in à generall councell But à generall councell is considered as confirmed or not confirmed by the Bishop of Roome This then is the sentence of al Catholiques That the Bishop of Roome together with à generall councell or a generall councell confirmed by the Bishop of Roome hath two prerogatiues The first is that the holy ghost doth infallibly assist the same in somuch that it is impossible that it dissent from the sacred scriptures in deciding propounding doctrine of beleefe The other is that the said generall councell haue receiued à supreme authoritie from Iesus Christ to teach in his church consequently to
excommunicate anathematize as hereticks all and ech of those who in matters aperteining to faith shall dare to denie or call in doubt any of the decrees of the said generall councell which concerne faith But is it to be noted that when à generall councell consulteth the holy ghost about the true sence of sacred scripture it doth not only cite to the said councell all Bishops Archbishops Patriarcks but also the Embassadores of Christian Princes many tymes euen kings Emperors themselues also they call thertoe the learnedst Diuines that be extant at that tyme in the Christian world yf any masters of heresie bee liuing they haue free permission to come And When al these be thus assembled in the name of Christ they proclame publique fasts praires to be held not only in the generall councell it self but also throughout all the Christian world to the end that the whole church ioyntly together may implore the assistance of the holie ghost in a matter so important Then they begin to propound the difficulties which be in debate about the sence of the sacred text ech one hath free libertie to speake dispute not only Bishops but also diuines of inferior qualitie not only Catholiques but also hereticks may propound their opinion freely controuert the same All which diuersitie of sentences be throughly discussed not in à confused manner but at leisure in many sessions no smale space of time while all the whole senate of Christian princes or their legats be present behoulding all consenting to what passeth Lastly after a long inquisition made when the fathers of the councell the Bishop of Roome doe vniformely consent subscribe to such and such articles in matter of faith the said decrees be presently intimated to the vniuersall church the whole Christian world all ech of those who dare to denie or call in doubt the same be anathematized bee they kings or Emperors which being once done euen those fathers of the councell be obliged vnder the paine of an anatheme to admitt those decrees concerning faith neither is it lawfull for any man to call in question the same no not the pope himself And this authoritie of the church as it is sett doune all Catholiques doe certainlie beleeue to be infallible the true rule of beleefe whence it commeth that this is à common proposition among Catholiques beleeue al that which the holy mother church beleeueth But now let vs see how Biblists square their rule of beleefe They graunt indeed that there were neuer wanting in any age of the church some few among Christians who by the assistance of the holy ghost did gather out of the scriptures the true sinceare doctrine of Christ these made the church say they in euery age hence they deduce acknowledg that the true church of Christ cannot err in faith neuertheles it neuer was or will be that this true church of the biblists euer made or will make any decree concerning matter of faith therfore the church was neuer assembled in any generall councell to which it apperteined to discerne infalliby decide without error which is the true doctrine of Christ which all other Christians are vndoubtedly to hould profess without any farther inquisition And vpon this maxime of theirs they doe most constantly auouch that all Christians whether considered asunder or as assembled in a generall councell may be forsaken of the holy ghost disagree from the scripture in doctrine of faith so consequently err in faith yet this withall they aledg that none can be abandoned of the holy ghost in examining iudging of doctrines of faith out of their Bible if he as he ought to doe deuoutly inuoke the grace of the holy ghost Now they say the Biblists who be inwardly enlightned taught by the holy ghost doe certainly infallibly gather know the same by certaine inward peculiar motions by which their mindes be stirred vp by the holy ghost in respect that he witnesseth to their spirit that they be the children of God whose annointment doth teach them all truth yet herein the Biblists doe deale somewhat modestlie in that though illuminate taught by God they thinke themselues to haue no right nor iurisdiction to oblige other Christians to accept that there doctrine which out of the bible ech one of them iudgeth to be true by inspiration of the holie ghost albeit in his hart he damneth condemneth al other doctrines which doth disagree from that doctrine of his which he surmiseth to be only conforme to holie writt The reason he assigneth is this That no man is to be trusted in matter of faith seing that euery man may err but if some one chance not to err this procedeth of an inward assistance of the holie ghost is not conspicuous to any one saue to him that hath it neither can any man certainly affirme this or that man to be inwardly illuminated taught by the holie ghost saue he only who receiueth that grace Therfore if à Biblist be demaunded wherfore he beleeueth that IHESVS OF NAZARETH is the sonne of God He will answer Because that God hath reuealed it Whence hast thou this He will answer out of the bible How knowest thow that this is the sence of the bible He will answer The holy ghost taught me so How knowest thow that he who taught the was the holy ghost He will answer My conscience witnesseth so much I know verie wel that the annointmens illustration which I inwardly perceiue in my mind is à supernaturall operation of the holie ghost Thus reply those biblists who as yet reteine some glimps shadow of faith Yet there be verie many especialy Lutherans Protestants that dare condemne no beleefe though they constantly beleeue that there is no Purgatorie that saints be not to be prayed vnto c. And know the same by the holy ghost witnessing it vnto their consciences out of the bible yet they dare not attach those of error who certainlie affirme that their is a Purgatory that saints be to be praid vnto c. These the sounder sort of biblists repute as woodcocks block-heddish asses so I passe them The question then which wee are to discuss is in this manner to be propounded whether the holie ghost doth rather infallibly decide the true doctrine of faith from that which is false by generall councells lawfully assembled expounding the scriptures or els by eche Christian a part caling vpon consultinge the holy ghost out of his bible THE SECOND CHAPTER The opinion of the Biblists is propounded and seuered into certaine propositions MY meaning is not in this treatise to define this question about the rule of beleefe but only to deduce certaine consequences necessarilie ensewing on the opinion of the Biblists whose absurditie and insufficiencie being perceiued we may iudg what manner of religion they haue so weakely founded to
pastors yea the whole church for à 1500. yeares then that they be forsaken of the holy ghost in censuring of doctrines And can à greater arrogancie or more hautie pride abominable presumptiō be deuised or imagined then this yet euen heerto the Biblists be amounted if they pass not the line THE FIFTH CHAPTER Other necessarie consequences deduced vvhence it may appeare vvhat manner of church that of Christians is assembled together if it be compacted as the Biblists rule of beelefe vvould haue it NOw it behowueth vs to shew out of the Biblists rule of beleefe what a manner of church the church of Christ is if it obserue the rule of beleefe sett downe by the Biblist which I will doe by consequences drawen out of their rule of beleefe that ech one may perceiue the absurditie of the same Biblists recant theire follie The First consequence NO Christian say the Biblists is bound to credit any man in matters of faith whether he be considered single or assembled in a generall councell except he hauing first consulted the holy ghost out of the Bible doth well vnderstand that the said propounded doctrine of faith doth verie well agree with the written word of God Therfore ech Biblist doth beleeue that they alone make the true church of Christ who profess that doctrine of faith which ech one a part hauing first consulted the holy ghost out of the Bible doth iudg to be most conforme to the texts of his Bible Proofe THe consequence I prooue for if any mans doctrine afrer that the holy ghost is consulted out of the scripture be found to disagree from the word of God his doctrine is necessarilye to be improoued he to be condemned for an heretick who would stubbornly mantaine such a doctrine dissenting from the Bible The Second consequence ECh Biblist doth beleeue that only those Christians make vp the true church of Christ who profess that doctrine as doctrine of faith which ech one after that he hath prayed consulted the holy ghost out of his Bible doth iudg to be most conforme to the said Bible Therfore there must needs be so many putatiue churches of Christ as there be diuersities of braines amoūg Christians who after that they haue prayed consulted the holy ghost doe gather out of the Bible contradictorie articles of beleefe euen in doctrine of faith The consequence is cleere needeth no proofe only this is to be supposed that that is said to be one church in which there is one faith The Third consequence THere be so many putatiue churches of Christ as there be diuersitie of braines amoūg Christiās who after that they haue prayed cōsulted the holy ghost out of ye Bible doe neuertheles fetch frō the said Bible cōtradictorie opinions in doctrine of faith As is euident in the Biblists of these our days for a Lutheran he praieth consulteth the holy ghost out of his Bible and affirmeth that the holy ghost teacheth him that this text of the bible This is my body is ment of the reall presence of the boddie of Christ in the Sacrement which he termeth the lords supper which is there present in person as he saith ioyntly with the bread But a puritan prayeth consult eth the same holy ghost out of his Bible about the true meaning of the rehearsed words This is my bodye And sweareth against the Lutheran that Christ is only in the Sacrament as in a signe a figure that there is naught els there saue bare bread wine that the holy ghost taught him so much A gaine the Anabaptist he consulteth the holy ghost out of the scripture after a prolix praire made to that effect findeth that the holie ghost teacheth him out of the scripture that Children be in no wise to be baptised because they want beleefe therfore must be rebaptized when they come to yeares of discretion But the protestant contrariewise looketh into his Bible after praire consultation made with the holy ghost protesteth the Anabaptist to be an heretik for the holy ghost telleth him out of the Bible that euen infants may receiue Baptisme that they thus baptised are neuer to be rebaptised Therfore according to this rule of the Biblists there be so many putatiue churches of Christ as there be diuersities of braines amoung Christians and that there is no publique signe in all the whole Christian world by which the only true church of Christ which is but one may be discerned from an innumerable companye of others which are falslie thought to be the churches of Christ when indeed they be but the Synagogs of Sathan the denns of heresies babses of confusion Proofe BEcause no other rule of beleefe is extant amoung the Biblist saue the priuate and hidden testimonie of the holy ghost in in ech Biblist soule censuring the sence of the Bible where with ech one being annointed be he Lutheran Protestant Puritan Arrian Anabaptist Trinitarian c. doth most certainlie perswade himself that he is taught by the holie ghost The Fourth consequence NO Christian is bound to beleeue any men in matter of faith be they considered seueraley or assembled in a generall counsell except hauing first prayed and consutled the holy ghost out of the scripture he vnderstand verie well that the said doctrine propounded doth agree with the sacred text Therfore no Christian nor assembly of Christians is extant in the world according to this Biblist rule which hath such a iurisdiction of teaching that all other Christians are oblidged to beleeue what they say decide in matter of faith This consequence is so manifest that it needeth no proofe for it is not to the purpose to answer that they be bound to beleeue those doctors which disagree not from the Bible for no man is to be beleeued in matters of faith vpon his owne affirmation that his doctrine is true disagreeth not from the scripture els Puritans Anabaptists Lutherans Arrians Trinitarians Iewes were to be beleeueed For as these auouch yea sweare that there doctrine in matters or faith is most conforme to the Bible but ech Christian as the Biblists opinion is must consult the holy ghost out of the scripture touching that point so iudg as he inwardly teacheth whose doctrine doth agree whose disagree from the scripture And therfore there is no Christian nor assembly of Christians in the world who hath such an absolute iurisdictiō of teaching that all other Christiās are bound in conscience to yeald beleefe to what they say decide about matters of faith perhaps they may be bound to heere others after examin their doctrine so consult the holy ghost out of the Bible whether it be true or false and that is all The Fift consequence NO Christian nor companie of Christians is extant in the world as enseweth on the Biblists proposition that hath such a iurisdiction to teach matters of faith that all other Christians are
bound in conscience to beleeue what they teach conforme there faith to their decrees Therfore there is no ecclesiasticall iurisdiction at all extant in the world to witt iurisdiction of preaching the word of God of administring Sacraments of publishing ecclesiasticall lawes of exercising ecclesiasticall iudgments of inflicting punishments vpoÌ„ transgressors of ecclesiasticall lawes ctc. which ech Christian ere he submitt himself to such a iurisdiction is not first bound to pray consult the holie ghost out of scripture to know censure iudg whether such a iurisdiction be iust or vniust conforme to the word of God or not so either submitt himself to the same if he like if or shake of that yoake as vniustly imposed if his priuate spirit repine iudg it not to agree to the text of his bible Proofe BEcause iurisdiction to preach to administer Sacraments to make ecclesiastical lawes c. doth manifestly concerne faith to practise ecclesiasticall iudgments do the suppose that the iudg be not an heretick But according to the Biblists rule al questions concerning faith ought to be decided of ech Christian out of his Bible he hauing first prayed consulted the holy ghost consequentlie if any one preach administer Sacraments enacst ecclesiasticall lawes or be an ecclesiasticall iudg ech Biblist is to consult the holy ghost out of the Bible so iudg of these mens doctrine of their Sacraments of theire lawes of theire iudgments if his priuate spitit find them to disagree from his texts of Bible then he is bound in conscience not to obey nor beleeue them yea rather to burne them then gyue his consent vnto them The Sixt consequence THere is no ecclesiasticall iurisdiction extant in the world neither of preaching administring of Sacraments making of ecclesiasticall lawes practising of ecclesiasticall iudgments c. which ech Christian ere he submitt himself to that iurisdiction is not first bound hauing consulted the holie ghost out of the bible to iudg whether it be iust or vniust so either accept or reiect the same Therfore conforme to this maxime of the Biblists all ecclesiasticall iurisdiction yea the whole church of Christ becommeth subiect to the boysterous bridles lust ignorance of all Christians how wicked soeuer they be who vnder pretence of an inward annointment wherby ech one boasteth himself to be taught by the holy ghost out of the scriptures haue libertie to sow the world with heresies distemper all realmes common wealths with debates strifes factions ciuil warrs Proofe FIrst because there is no Biblist in the world which doth not attach of heresie innumerable other Biblists who varie from him So one Lutheran auoucheth al PuritaÌ„s Hussites Anobaptists Arrians Protestants to err in faith detesteth them for hereticks neither doe the Lutherans consent amoung themselues in matters of faith but these differ froÌ„ those so that there is welnigh as many opinioÌ„s of faith amoung them as their be braines to conceiue them and yet ech Biblist be he Hussite Lutheran Puritan Anabaptist Protestant Arrian c. doth verilie perswade himself that the is taught by the holie ghost out of the Bible Secondlie because it many tymes faleth out that many of these Biblists who ofteÌ„ doe call vpon consult the holy ghost out of the scripture at diuers tymes gather contradictorie articles of faith out of the said scripture sweare that they were so taught by the holy ghost How many Biblist ministers haue they who a yeare before praying consulting the holy ghost out of the scripture haue publiquely taught aÌ„d writ that Bishops were the limms of Antichrist but this yeare hauing a fatt bishop-prick offred them they praing consulting the holy ghost out of the scripture find that the holy ghost inspireth them to accept that dignitie with the reuenewes that Bishops are conforme to the texts of his bible Others praying consulting the holy ghost out of his Bible haue dared to preach write that to weare a syrpliss were to conforme one selfe to the beast put on a remnant of Antichrist as also to receaue the communion kneeling were to committ idolatry this as froÌ„ the holy ghost but some months or a yeare after frighted either with the law or aluted with reward consultinge the said holie ghost out of his Bible he maketh no scruple both to weare a syrpliss receiue the communion kneeling this by inspiration of the holy ghost whome he auowed a while a goe to haue forbidden the same as monstrous idolatrie Therfore he who subiecteth all ecclesiasticall iurisdiction to this annointment inspiration of the spirit wherwith ech Biblist doth boast himself that he is taught by the holy ghost doth expose the said eeclesiasticall iurisdiction also the whole church of Christ to the boysterous lust ignorance of all leude miscreant Christians to staine the same with heresies as they please The like may be aledged of Politicall iurisdiction which by this principal of Biblists doctrine is exposed to all the ieopardie of tumultuous broyles ciuill warrs The Seuenth consequence ALl ecclesiasticall iurisdiction yea the whole church of Christ becommeth subiect to the rageing lust ignorance of all miscreant Christians who vnder the pretext of an inward annointment wherwith ech one boasteth himself to be taught by the holy ghost out of the scripture may introduce into the church of God what peruerse heresies broyles hee pleaseth Therfore by such a rule of beleefe as the Biblists haue deuised the whole church of Christ assembled together is necessarilie a confused route of mad bedlame fellowes amoung whome there is no order at all but an euerlasting horror inhabiteth Proofe THe effect prooueth what is said for that companie of Christians which is only thronged together compacted into one boddie through this inward annointment of the holy ghost only which ech Bâ—blist presumeth of himself to haue hath no vnitie of faith in it self no constancie of faith in his members no iurisdiction nor vocation nor succession of ecclesiastical ministers but only in all ech of them this inward annointment domineereth by which euery one vaunteth himself to haue the holy ghost for his tutor CoÌ„sidere well the true spiritt of all the Biblists thou will find theÌ„ minced into many differente iarring sects of Lutherans Caluinists Anabaptists c ech of which are againe shreded into more sects theÌ„ there be dayes in the yeares yea welnigh they haue amoung them as manie belefes as men as the tymes seasons change so they change their faiths as if religion were but a sport pastime See if they can spie out amoung theÌ„ a supreme iurisdiction of teaching the word of God of administring Sacraments of ordering ecclesiasticall ministers of iudging ecclesiasticall causes you will scarse find any shadow there of but all things amoung them are exposed to this internall annointment of the holy ghost which ech of them boasteth for to
haue Nor doth it preiudice this consequence that in manie places we behold the companies of these Biblists verie quiet in some order amoung themselues as Lutherans in Saxonie Protestants in England for this proceedeth because that the promiscuous multitude of Biblists in these places giue credit to theire ministers or bee constrained to keepe quarter by the Augustane Confession or by the statutes of a parliament which none for feare of punishment dare openly call in doubt for this cause there be verie few who consulting the holy ghost out of the scripture haue courage to censure whether the doctrines propounded them to beleeue by ministers or by the Augustane Confession or by the statutes of a parliament doe cohere with the word of God or disagree from the same They had rather incurr guiltienes of conscience then a proemunire But indeed to bee plaine while these Biblists not first consulting the holy ghost out of their Bible doe out of negligence or feare giue credit to theire parsons or to parliament edicts or such like statutes concerning matters of faithtt is impossible for them to haue any true faith in regard they found their faith vpon them who may err in faith for ministers Bishops Parliaments congregations generall councels all may err in faith all be deceiued deceiue according to the Biblists rule yet in those place where this inward annointment hath free vttrance and the priuate spirit domineereth all things in religion be turned vpside downe all disquieted quite put out of order so much the more as the witts of those Biblists which consult the holy ghost out of the scripture are more subtile eminent which is so apparant by daylie practise that to god about to prooue the same were to light a candell at mid day THE SIXT CHAPTER Other necessarie consequences be deduced vvhence vve may gather vvhat a manner of church the church of Christ vvas from the Apostles tymes to our dayes if it bee censured as the Biblists rule of beleefe doth sett doune SVCH certes as I haue deciplered must the congregation of Christians be who make one body of a church as the Biblists rule of beleefe doth sett doune Now it resteth to deduce other consequences out of the same rule of beleefe werby it may appeare what a fasshioned church according to their rule was the church of Christ from the Apostles age downwards euen to Luthers reuolt for if following the rule of succession so many ages euen to our dayes are spred al the world ouer surely we must be compelled to deduce therout most horrible fearfull consequenees such as would fright a man to reade them The first consequence ALl councells as well generale as nationall yea approued confirmed by the Bishop of Roome may err in faith ech Christian is bound vnder the paine of eternall damnation before such tyme as he giue credit to any of those generall councels to consult the holy ghost out of the scriptures so to iudg whether that they doe agree to the word of God or disagree from the same Therfore all generall councels in what manner soeuer they haue beene celebrated in the church of God haue vsurped practised most detestable tyranie ouer the whole church of Christ contrary to the word of God Because these generall councels did not only excommunicate but also by the helpe of secular power did condemne put to death those Biblists who consulting the holie ghost out of the scriptures dared to denie or call in doubt the decrees of the said councel which concerned matters of faith Also they mooued cruell bloodie wars against those princes kings Emperors who dared to gaine say the doctrine of those councels in matters of faith See the cuncell of Nice ann 325. in which Arrius was condemned who out of the holie scriptures as hee sayd denied the diuinitie of Christ See the councel of Constantinople an 383 in which Macedonius was condemned who out of the Bible denied the diuinitie of the holy ghost See the first councel of Ephesus an 434. in which Nestorius of Constantinople was condemned who out of the Bible did affirme that there was 2. persons in Christ See the first councell of Calcedon an 454. in which Eutyches the Archimandrite was condemned of heresie who out of the scriptures sayd that the images of Christ his Saints were not to be honored Neither did they cōdemne one or two but an innumerable number of Christians who followed those heresiarchs nor were they of the vulgar sort but a manie of them were Bishops Archbishops Patriarchs yea Princes kings Emperors all which those fathers of the councel did without any dread condemne for hereticks in the name of Christ and pronouncing an Anathema vpon them cutt them quite of from the church of Christ Both tyme leisure would faile mee if I should goe about to reckne vp all generall counsels to shew yt a perpetuall practise rule of the church of Christ that Generall counsels should decide matters of faith declare to all Christians what they were bound to beleeue what not to beleeue condemning all ech that durst be so bould as to gaine-say them or with stand their decrees Now if those fathers of generall counsels had non such right to doe this first at generall counsels hether to celebrated in the church of Christ erred in faith then they alwayes practised a most violent exectable tyrannie euer all the flock of Christ in vsurping an vniust iurisdiction by force might in condemning scoffing at this annointment of the spirit of God which ech Biblist presumeth for to haue to be inwardly taught by the said spirit out of the scriptures The Second consequence ALl generall councels in what manner soeuer they were celebrated in the church of God exercised a detestable tyranie ouer all the whole church of God contrary to the Bible according to the Biblists rule Therfore all heresies that euer were condemned by generall councels be heerby caled into doubt whether that they were iustly condemned or not Proofe BEcause that those generall councels had no right to cōdemne any doctrine but that office apparteined to ech Christian as also consulting the holy ghost out of the bible to examin euen the decrees of generall councels themselues And therfore the sentence of those councels which condemned hereticks in this respect was vniust because it was vtred by those who had no right nor iurisdiction to doe it for that sentence did by diuine right apperteine to the censure of the holy ghost who resyding in the mind of ech Biblists as a iudg sitting on a bench doth by meanes of the Bible giue sentence out of there mouths about the doctrines of men But to the end that the Biblists may by some smal coniecture perceiue how many monstrous heresies would reuiue againe in this church if this there rule of beleefe were auaylable I will only mention at this
tyme a certaine decree made in the yeare 494. In the first Roman councell vnder Pope Gelaâ—asius the first These all such like heresies we condemne which were taught by Symon Magus Nicolaus Gerinthus Marcion Basilides Ebion Paulus Samosatenus Protinus Bonosus with others who infected with such like errors fell froÌ„ the church we also condemne Montanus with his impure followers Apolinard Valentinus or Manicheus Faustus Africanus Sabellius Arrius Macedonius Eunominus Nouatus Sabbatius Caelestiê° Donatus Eustakius Iouinianus Iulianus GelaneÌ„sis Celestinus Maximê° Priscilianus of Spaine Nestorius of Constantinople Lampetius Dioscorus Eutyches Both the Peeters wherof one defiled the church of Antioch with heresies the other the church of Alexandria Acatius of Constantinople with his consorts and all other hereticks there disciples together with scismaticks with whatsoeuer they haue taught writt as also those hereticks whose names be not registred which we command to be not only reiected but also rased out for euer by euery Catholique Apostolique Roman church whom with all their followers we acknowledg to be euerlastingly coÌ„demned vnder the band of an anatheme neuer to be loosed Thus Pope Gelasius with the fathers of that councell The Third consequence NO ecclesiasticall iurisdiction is extant weither of Preaching the word of God nor of administring Sacraments which ech Christian ere he submitt himself to that iurisdiction is not bound in conscience first to consult the holy ghost out of the scripture so iudg whether the said iurisdiction be iust to which they may submitt themselues or els vniust whose yoacke they may shake of Therfore euen from the Apostles tymes to our dayes no true publique worship of God was extant practised in the church of God Proofe FOr that worship of God which hath hetherto beene publiquely practised in the church of God as wel concerning the preaching of the word as the administration of SacrameÌ„ts other publique ecclesiasticall rites apperteining to religion or the pietie of the faithfull towards God was alwayes decided gouerned by the Bishops Pastors of the church but especialy principaly by the fathers that were assembled in generall coÌ„cels with an vsurpation of a supreme power ouer all Christian beleeuers which if conforme to the rule of the Biblists it be a most detestable tyrannie contrarie to the word of God no doubt also but such a manner of worshipp wherwith God was serued was execrable detestable Nor is it enough to oppose this consequence to auerr that many Biblists liued in euery age who detested that tyrannicall dominion for I graunt this These men I say were they whome as I aboue mentioned so many generall councells condemned for hereticks which if the Biblists would haue to apperteine to there church lett them looke with what conscience or colour they can approoue theire heresies when as it is most certaine that in doctrine of faith they did extreamely disagree from the beleefes which the Biblists that be now a dayes doe hold profess The Fourth consequence ALl generall councels in what manner soeuer they were celebrated in the church of Christ exercised a tyrannicall dominioÌ„ ouer the whole church of Christ coÌ„trary to the word of God neither was there euer extaÌ„t in the world since the Apostles dayes any true publique worship seruice of God Therfore the true church of Christ euen from the Apostles tymes to these of ours lay hid lurking in inuisiblenes being vnknowen both to herself the world Proofe FOr that assembly of Christians which from the Apostles dayes downwards to our tyme was most conspicuous to the world worshiped serued God either deceiued or compelled to doe so with a detestable tyrannye of Bishops that theÌ„ ouerswaied the church as Biblists say and those only which refused this their tyrannie were diuided into innumerable sects dissenting from ech others in essentiall matters of faith which by lilte lilte were reduced to nothing Therfore lest we be compelled to say That Chist for so long time had no church at all in the world either wee must be forced to say that the same was the church of Christ or els for want of better reason auouch an absurditie say that the church was all that while vnknoweÌ„ both to it self the world lay hid lurking in inuisiblenes as many Biblists doe not stick to auouch impudently blabber THE SEVENTH CHAPTER The conclusion of the Author ANd thus far Biblist my freind I haue goe on to sett doune those absurdities which spring out of thy rule of beleefe which each one may with ease deduce at leisure albeit I haue past by many more difficile but no less true Now I would haue thee for thy credit conscience sake to free this thy rule froÌ„ that frightfull impietie phrensie with which it seemeth to be braÌ„ded this by a more learned aunswer if thou canst Which I thinke will be no smal paines to doe which I doe deeme can be done by no other meanes then either by a flatt denial of thine owne antecedents or of my consequences both which will be fowle enough But lest thou deteine thy selfe in thine answer It is not a miss I admonish thee that I haue laboured whole 26. yeares about the studie of the bible haue euer sought to finde spie out the truth with a most sinceare spotles intention of mind to this end euen from my childhood forsooke my father my mother all the snares and allurements of my temporall commodities which I might haue enioyed in the world loading on my shoulders a sore heauie cross haue thus followed Christ yet neuerheles I haue hetherto esteemed iudged out of holy writt that the authoritie of the holy church concerning matters of faith is infallible But now shoulde I admitt a diffrent rule of beleefe to witt that of thine I perceiue full well what difficulties Would ensew ther vpon which are the same mentioned by me to which I demaund of thee a satisfactorie reply though I scarse can imagine what meanes thow hast to performe the same except thow wilt perswade me to turne about like a mil-hors from the spirit to the Bible from the Bible to the spirit in a perpetuall circle for if thou remitt me to praire the inward annointment of the holy ghost or to some sacred scriptures or glosses which thou or thy compannions make vpon the Bibles text freind Biblist I would haue thee not to forget that thow beleeuest both thy self and al thy comarades to be prone to errors in matters of faith may flatly err therfore in this important busines of faith I neither ought nor can in conscience giue credit vnto thee or thine Nor canst thow gather if after that I haue examined cyfted thy sentence about matters of faith euer out of the bible that the eies of my mind bee dimmed can not see so cleere as thine because I haue not prayed implored the assistance of the holy ghost for I would haue thee know that for the space of these 26. yeares the 36. part more of ech naturall day hath beene by mee spent in watchings prayres seruinge God night day But should I giue which can not be graunted that the church may faile defile it self with errors therfore the authoritie of the same were to be renounced neuertheles I see no reason wherfore I should presently submit to your opinion subscribe to that priuat spirit by which you boast your selues to be inwardly inspired taught yea rather in this case I should doubt whether that the seripture you follow were sacred or not for hetherto with S. Augustin I had not beleeued the scriptures had not the authoritie of the church mooued mee But to faine that the holy ghost forsooke the whole church of Christ so many ages is only assistant to me a vile sinner that I only may not stray from the truth where all cuncels fathers and Churches erred not rashlie as you surmise fredne Biblist but prudently abhorre denyt esteeme it à more then Luciferian arrogaÌ„ce in à maÌ„ to sou aunt him self yet should I lett this pass as thow wouldest haue it that is that thy rule of beleefe is both coÌ„sonaÌ„t to the scriptured the inward annoinmen of the spirit what thinkest thow may bee vrged in this case This at least that vnless thow freest the same froÌ„ the infamie which it hath incurred for the aboue deduced coÌ„sequences I must be forced to affirme that the Bible is not sacred but profane your spirit not holie but hollow your Christ not à Sauiour but à seducer nor any man of à sound iudgement can censure otherwise Wherfore except you in such sort stint my consequences that they can not be able to follow the antecedents at the heeles etther freind Biblist you must againe retourne to the authoritie of the Church whence you are departed or quod ahsit quite turne from Christ Fare you wel and see wherto this your spirit aimeth with you Consult so carefully FINIS