Author then was it secret therfore cannot be the religiō of Christ which is a wayes apparent manifest And whatsoeuer in this discourse hath byn said and proued concerning Lutheran religion yow must vnderstand to haue byn said and proued also of Caluinisme and Anabaptisme for that the selfe same nouelty and reasons belong to all three but that for perspicuityes sake and not often to repeat with tediousnes all three names we haue only nominated one Therfore do I conclude with the words of S. Hierome Hier. Dial. contra Lucifer in fine who writeth thus That I way set thee downe briefly and playnely any opinion Thou must saith hee remayne in that Church which was founded by the Apostles and continueth vntil this very day And if by chance thou shouldest he are those that be called Christians to be named of some other and net of Iesus Christ to u it of the Marcionites Valentiniās Montanistes c. know thou certainly that that is not the Church of Christ but the Synagogue of Antichrist for that because they were institued afterward they do demonstrate themselnes to be those whome the Apostle foretould c. Nor let them flatter themselues if out of certaine places of Scripture they do seemete affirme that with they say for that the Diuell did also alleagde Scripture for his purpose and the force of Scripture doth not consist in reading but in vnderstanding So S. Hierome Nouelty therfore is a signe of heresy fortould by the Apostle denomination is a signe of nouelty and the vsurping of Scripture is common to the Diuell himselfe and all heresyes The II. Reason Taken from the defect of Succession ANOTHER reason why these religions are not to be allowed of is The want of succession for that they want an orderly and continuall Succession of Ministers in the Church from the Apostles which succession is necessary that any Religion or Church should be deemed Apostolicall for without the same it cannot be continued with the Apostolike So as the Ancient Fathers for the most part teach that they who say they haue the true Church of Christ with them must bring forth the succession of their Bishops and reduce the same vpwards to some one of the Apostles by an orderly continuation which if they cannot do it is an easy matter to conuince them that the true Church of Christ is not with them For so Optatus Mileuitanus in his second booke against Parmenian when he would conuince the Donatistes that they had not the true Church with them said Shew forth the origen or beginning of your sea yow that wildaime the Holy Church to your selues And Tertullian in his prescriptions againg heretiks saith Let heretikes shew forth the origen of their Churches let them recount the order of their Bishops succeeding from the beginning that he who was the first should haue some Apostle or Apostolike man for his Author and predecessour c. The same argument do the rest of the Fathers commonly vse as (a) lib 3. cap ◠Irenaeus (b) hoeresi 27. Epiphanius (c) cont Lucifer Hieronymus S. (d) cap. 4. cont Epist Fundam Augustine and others Now it is well knowne that neyther Lutherans Caluinistes nor Ana baptistes can with any the least colour do the same For to whome I pray you did Luther who for the most part was the Author and first parent of these new religions succeed Whose Chayre and authority did he occupy who before him was the prelate of the Luther an religion as also before Caluin and Zwinglius who was their predeceslour And if none can be assigned it is cleere that they want that succession which the Ancient Holy Fathers do require that any Church should be ioined with that of the Apostles Againe Want of Ordination they do not only want succession of Chayre and authority but euen the ordination of degrees descending from the Apostles For that there was alwayes requisite a double power in the Ministers of the Church both of them by an orderly continuation deriued from the Apostles as before we haue shewed in the 7. Consideration to wit Power of Order by which Sacrifice is offered and Sacraments are made to sanctify the faithfull and Power of Iurisdiction by which the authority of gouerning and feeding the Church with the word of God is giuen c. But these new religions can reduce neither of them to the Apostles Not the power of Iurisdiction because they want succession as before we haue said nor yet the Power of Ordinatiō or Order for who ordained Luther or Caluin a Bishop of their Church And if they say that order is not needfull they do contradict all antiquity and the perpetuall vse of the Church For neuer yet was there Bishop in the Church so as he had authority to exercise all Bishoply functions but that he was ordained by some other Bishop to whome by the Constitution of the Apostles themselues must be adioined two other bishops as is expressely commaunded in the first Canon of the Apostles fourth of the Nicene Councel as also insinuated by S. Paul writing to Timothy a Bishop 1. Tim. 4. and warning him thus Do not neglect the grace which is in thee which grace is giuen thee by prophesy with imposition of the hands of Priesthood that is to say of those Bishops who togeather with the Bishop that doth ordaine do lay their hands vpon him that is ordained as the Ancient Fathers do expound it By which it is cleere and euident that the Lutherans and Caluinists haue neither of these forsaid powers from the Apostles nor can they deriue the same from the Apostles and consequently in that they do not descend from them they haue not the true religion and Church with them For that the true Church according to both powers ought to be deriued and to haue continued with them from the Apostles as we haue shewed before seing that all power spirituall ought to be deriued from Christ through the Apostles and their successours by a continuall and orderly succession and communication to other ministers of the Church as the corporall life of man is deriued by certaine meanes through a continuall succession from our first parent Adam to the last For euen as in the old Testament there were no priests except those that descended from the Tribe of Leui thorough Aaron so in the new there are no priests or Bishops except those that descend in degree of Order and power of Iurisdiction from Christ the chiefe Priest through the Apostles and their successours And therfore as the Sinagogue could not be without priests descending by a continuall succession from Aaron so the Church of Christ cannot be without Priests or Bishops descending by the same continuall succession from the Apostles and their successours But the Congregation of Lutherans and Caluinistes had neuer any such ministers had neuer any Bishops-lawfully ordayned amongst them descending in power of Iurisdiction from the
vnited themselues to the Church of Christ and now to force them as it were into other abhominable errors and new Idolatry and that by such who were accompted and accepted of all men for lawfull Ministers of the Church and were famous for sanctity of life wisdom miracles God for bid that euer we should so thinke of his Diuine goodnes and prouidence which he vseth for mans saluation Furthermore to Lutheranisme Caluinisme or Anabaptâ—sme there was neuer heard of any conuersion of Nations or Pagan Kingdomes but only a defection of some few who professing the name of Christ and weary of their ancient Religion and discipline did follow the liberty of their lust nouelty which is a manifest argument of heresy For that heresy is nothing els but a corruption of Catholike doctrine and a defection or falling away from ancient Christian Religion only retayning the name of a Christian â—â—esides the study of hereticall teachers is not to conuert Ethnicks but peruert Christians which Tertullian excellently describeth in his booke of Prescriptions Of administration of the word saith he what shall I say Seing that their busines is not to conuert Ethnicks but to peruert ours Christians They do take more glory to bring to ruine those that stand fast then to help those vp that are fallen because that this their endeauour comes not from their owne building but from the destruction of truth They digge vp ours to build vp theirs So as it commeth to passe that they worke the downfall of standing edifices more easily then the building of decayed ruines VI. CONSIDERATION From the Name Catholike from the thinge it selfe signed or marked with this Name FVRTHERMORE that Religion is to be esteemed for the true Religion which hath alwayes byn accompted called Catholike according to that of the Apostolicall creed Credo Sanctam Ecclesiam Catholicam I beleeue the holy Catholik Church But the Roman Church of all other Churches is only called the Catholick and her followers Catholikes Ergo only the Roman Religion is the true ReligioÌ„ of Christ That the Roman Church is and alwayes hath byn only called Catholick is manifest First by the very vse custome of so calling her receyued throughout the world so as oftentymes the heretikes themselues in their wrytings do call her Catholike and her followers Catholiks neyther did any Sect whatsoeuer deserue that name For neuer were the Marcionites Montanistes Donatists Pelagians Vigilantians Waldenses Lutherans Caluinists or Anabaptistes called Catholikes or their doctrine Catholike Only the Roman Church with the people adhering vnto her is called the Catholike and the Religion faith doctrine of this Church is called the Catholike Religion the Catholikefaith the Catholike doctrine and her followers Catholikes Secondly Catholike is extended to all Nations because Catholike is the same that Vniuersall most largely extending it selfe to all And such is the Roman Religion for that it being dilated and spread ouerall the world doth extend it selfe to all nations and Kingdomes For that there is no Kingdome nor Nation vnknowne to vs which eyther doth not or somtymes did or doth not now begin to imbrace this religioÌ„ Nay now adayes the professioÌ„ of this our religion is almost publike amongst all Nations to wit amongst those of Iaponia China India Persia Tartariae Turky Africa Brasile Peru Mexico c. For that in all these places are found Catholikes Churches Altars Images of Christ and of Saintes Masse is there celebrated our Sacraments are there administred holydayes and fasting dayes are there kept and finally the Roman religion is there publikely obserued Who can then doubt but that this is the true way of saluation to all which our Sauiour would haue taught preached and proposed to all nations which he would haue to increase and fructify in all Kingdomes in due tyme and season and which he doth stil conserue by some meanes or other in euery place ordayning that Catholikes be so dispersed throughout the whole world that by them Infidels may come to the knowledge of true Religion Moreouer this Catholike Religion doth extend it selfe to al tymes It extendeth it selfe to all tymes euen froÌ„ the Apostles For that there can be no age from that tyme assigned wherin this Religion did not florish In all ages hath Masse byn celebrated both for the liue and dead feastes solemnized fastes obserued Monasticall vowes made Saints worshipped their reliques honoured and such other like proper ensignes of our religion haue byn in vse and practice as is manifest out of the writers of all tymes On the contrary side No sect euer called Catholick let vs looke vpon all other sectes and we shall neuer find that any one of them was euer called Catholike nor their followers Catholikes as we haue said but that euery one tooke their names of their first Authors as the Simonians Valentinians Pelagians Lutherans No sect euer spread ouer the world Caluinists c. No sect was euer spread ouer the world When Catholike Religion began once to appeare in short tyme it was spread ouer the whole world and began to increase and fructify almost in all Kingdomes Rom. 1â— ColoÌ„ss 1. as S. Paul affirmeth But Lutheranisme Caluinisme and Anabaptisme now after 70. or 80. yeares are yet confined to certayne strayt corners do rather daily decay by eyther going into other sects or els returning to Catholike Religion then any way increase For that none of them hath continued from the Apostles tymes but all sprung vp and inuented within these 70. or 80. yeares last past and therfore neyther in regard of tyme place nor otherwise can they be called Catholike Againe I say that Catholike Religion is one and the selfe same euery where But these religions are exceeding different amongst themselues and disagreeing in their chiefe heads and members one damning another to the pit of hell of heresy how therfore can they be called Catholike VII CONSIDERATION From Succession FVRTHER MORE that Religion is to be accompted the true whose ministers do all descend from the Apostles and are eyther the Apostles successors or haue receiued their order and authority from their sucessours For by this reason it will appeare manifest that that Religion and Church which doth honour imbrace a religion so descended to be Apostolicall Ergo c. Now that all Ministers of the Catholike Religion whether we consider the power of their order or Iuris diction haue descended from the Apostles it is cleere For that all inferiour ministers especialy Priests Deacons Subdeacons receiue their order from Bishops Bishops also haue their order from other Bishops and these likewise againe from others and so futhermore vpwards to the Apostles who receiued this power immediatly from Christ As all men therfore according to their vitall and naturall power do by a long course of genealogy descend from our first Parent Adam so do all ministers of the Catholike Church according to their supernaturall power by a longe
succession of ordination and sanctification descend from Christ our Lord who is the second Adam And there is no minister in the Church but can deduce the power wherwith the coÌ„secrateth sacrificeth absolueth from synnes administreth other Sacraments and sanctifieth Christian people from Christ himselfe as the first head and Author therof So as also all those workes which by this power he effecteth are attributed to Christ as to the first and chiefe Author who instituted this said power and doth inuisibly protect and assist the same man being only but the instrument wherby all these thinges are done as S. Augustine other Fathers do excellently declare Tract in Ioan. Chrysost bom 60 Ambros l. 4. desacram cap. 4. 5. In like maner all the power of Iuridiction of Ministers in the Catholike Church by which they gouerne Christian people preach the word of God and exercise all other Pastorall offices doth descend from Christ and may be perspicuously reduced to him For that Pastors haue their Iurisdiction from Bishops Bishops from the Pope and the Pope himselfe for that he is the successour of S. Peter in the same Chayre and gouernement of the Catholike Church doth necessarily also suceed in the same Iurisdiction which was giuen immediatly by God to S. Peter and in him to all his lawfull successours And those also in the Church who haue not power ordinary but only delegated to witt no proper Iurisdiction of their owne do receiue the same from their Pastours Bishops or the Pope So as there is no minister in the Catholike Church no preacher or teacher of the word of God that cannot eleerly demonstrate his mission and shew the same to be deriued from Christ And truely except they could so do they were by no meanes to be heard or regarded but had in suspition for wolues when as they entred not into the sheepfold through the dore but crept in secretly some other way This argument alwaies did the ancient Fathers greatly esteeme and alleage Irenaeus l. 3 c 3. Tertul de praescrip August epist 165. Optatus l. 2. contr Parmen cap. 4. for the conuincing of all heresies For therby is shewed the continuall succession of our Religion throughout all Ages vp to the Apostles times I am held in this Church saith S. (a) cap. 4. contra Eâ—ist Fundam Augustine by the Succession of Priests Bishops that haue come downe eueÌ„ froÌ„ the Sea of Peter the Apostle to whoÌ„ the care of feeding our Lords flocke was coÌ„mitted to the present Bishop of Rome Anastasius that holdeth the sea at this day And the very same hath S. Hierome in his dialogue against the Luciferian Heretikes which by and by we shall haue occasion to recite Now none of the ministers of the reformed religion can shew this And as for the power of order wherby to administer Sacraments and sanctify the people truly they cannot reduce it to the Apostles and Christ as we haue done for that they haue vtterly taken all such power away Neither is there any Bishop or Priest among them except perhaps some Apostata from the Catholik ReligioÌ„ whose degree ordignity amongst theÌ„ is now no more of value wheras not withstanding the Church of Christ hath alwaies had these degrees and byn gouerned therby Neither haue they any power of Iurisdiction wherby to preach the word of God administer Baptisme gouerne the people with diuine reuerence in spirituall affayres of their soules For I would demaund of whome Luther and Caluin receiued this power of Iurisdiction By whome was cyther of them sent to preach the new Ghospell and reforme the people That they were not sent by the ordinary Pastors of the Church it is euident therfore they came of themselues being sent by none But what can be a more certaine signe that they are not to be heard but rather to be fled from For how shall they preach saith the Apostle vnlesse they be sent Rom. 10. Ioan. 10. He that entreth not saith S. Iohn by the dore into the sheepfold but clymbeth vp another way he is a theese and robber but he that entreth by the dore is the Pastour of the â—heepe Now whosoeuer without ordinary and lawfull authority do exercise the office of a Pastour they enter not in by the dore But perhaps they will say that they were sent immediatly by Christ of him receaued authority to reforme the Church Whether sectaries be sent of Christ or no. But that is not inough so to say for that all Archeretikes do say the same of themselues Wherfore it behooueth them to bring forth shew their euidence wherby to witnesse it and so to conuince vs that they were sent of Christ as the Apostles did confirme their mission with many and great miracles otherwise we ought not to accept of their reformation Nay we are rather bound to reiect them as false impostors Againe how is it possible for them to be sent of Christ when as they teach so diuers and disagreeing opinions among themselues For if Luther were sent of Christ then can not Caluin be also sent of him who in many points impugneth Luthers doctrine and damneth it to the pit of hell as impious and hereticall And contrariwise if Caluin were sent of Christ then could not Luther be sent of him also for that God is not contray to himselfe neither do the spirits of his true Prophets impugne or contradict one another Other things I omit which might be alleaged to the same purpose VIII CONSIDERATION From the consent of the ancient Fathers and Doctors of the Church and from the decision of controuersies without which there is no sodality or followship THAT Religion is thought to be of Christ and to be preferred before al other in which the whole and full consent of Doctors of euery age Nation about the principall heads of our faith hath concurred and wherin there hath byn an easy determination of all Controuersyes from which if once thou chance to decline or fall thou hast no certainty left which way to betake thy selfe But such is only Catholike Religion and therfore the true religion of Christ And first of all concerning the consent of Doctors about the chiefe heads of our religion it is manifest out of their wrythings For what ancient Doctors soeuer eyther in Greece Asia Aegipt Asricke Spaine Italy France Germany or England that haue written of the mysteries of our religion they do all agree about the liberty of Freewill about merit of good workes sacrifice of the Masse for the quicke and the dead Monasticall vowes fastes inuocation of Saints and the like which are by these newfangled Religions reiected and reproued Caluin l. 2. c. 2.3.14 16. l. 3. c. 4. 5. l. 4. c. 22. Centurtatores cent 2.3.4.5 c. 4. and cannot be denied by the Lutherans Caluinistes themselues only they say that these things were blemishes of the ancient Doctors inclining as it were to superstition
neyther can the Lutherans or Caluinistes deny the same but only say that these things were moles or blemishes amoÌ„gst the aÌ„cient Fathers Goodly moles surely superstition Idolatry Impiety But if the doctors of former ages did not professe this religioÌ„ but for the most part reproue and disallow it then is it euident that the same is not ancient but new For no religion was euer accompted in the Church for true but that which the ancient Fathers doctors of the Church did hold and professe Wherof it euidently followeth that Lutheran religion is not Christs religion For that Christs religion is not new but ancient but Lutheran religion is new as we haue shewed and not ancient Christs religion hath alwayes florished in the world euer synce the Apostles tyme but Luthers religion hath not so done but began within these 100. yeares and before that tyme we haue shewed that it was not Againe if Luthers religion be truely Christs religion then is the visible company of men that imbrace the same the true Church of Christ Therfore Christs Church was not before Luther because the Lutheran Religion which doth make the true Church was not before Luther as we haue demonstrated For if yow say that Luthers religion was in the Apostles tymes and in some of the former ages then must yow proue that there were some men in those tymes who imbraced and professed his opinions Surely we easily proue the contrary for that it is euident that Masse for the quicke and dead Order of Ministers in the Church monasticall vowes and the like which are repugnant to the Lutheran religion were in vse in the Church in the Apostles tymes and the next succeeding Ages But let vs grant that Luthers religion was in the Apostles tymes and somwhat after yet at leastwise in the third and fourth age it began to fayle fall quite away Which thing the Lutheran Doctors themselues do also confesse as may be seene by that great Centurian worke setforth by them in the 2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10 Century or age and 4. Chapter of euery Century Therfore by this accompt the Church of Christ at least for 1300. years hath fallen away perished for that so long tyme at the least it is euident that Lutheran religion was not but the quite contrary to haue byn extant and florished As also by this accompt the true religion was extinguished for so many ages the Ghospell obscured Christes Church ouerthrowne vntil the Dutch Prophet Luther rose vp and dispersed that lamentable darknes through the light of the Ghospell to the world and reedified the ruines of the Church This do the Lutherans often insinuate in diuers townes of Germany when as they wryte vpon the forefronts of their houses in great Capitall letters these or the like words Such a yeare c. appeared the true light of Christs Ghospell to this Citty Superstition put downe c. But if the Church of Christ perished for so many ages how then is it true that she is built vpon a rocke and not rather vpon sand How then is it said that the (a) Math. 16. Gates of hell shall not preuaile againe her How is she the house of God the (b) 1. Tim. 3. Firmament and Pillar of truth How then is the (c) Daniel 2. Kingdome of Christ which is the Church stable firme euerlasting and neuer to be ruined Againe if yow say that Luthers Church religion was in all Ages from the Apostles tymes but yet in secret and hidden besides that such a fiction wanteth an Author to affirme it the same is voyd of all probability as we haue now shewed But be it so The Church of Christ caÌ„not be hidden let vs grant that it was hidden all that while but then was it not the Church of Christ for that she is a (d) Matth. 5. Citty placed vpon a mountayne which cannot be hidden She is the (e) Isa 2. mountayne of the house of God prepared in the top of mountaynes and placed aboue the hilles cleerly seene of all men to whome all Nations in the world haue recourse She is the Kingdome of Christ that reacheth from (f) Psal 71. sea to sea and from the riuer to the bounds of the earth She is that great (g) Dan. 2. mountayne that filleth the whole earth For that the Church of Christ must be conspicuous manifest to the world that by her excelleny and comlines by her manner and outward shew she as it were may intice Gentiles vnto her so as they that will become Christians may know whither to go to whome to haue recourse and from whome to receiue instruction Likewise her Doctrine and faith must needs be also manifest or els the same would be vnprofitable to the world nor could she conuert Gentiles So as in the greatest persecutions that euer were she neuer lay so hidden but that she might be knowne to all as out of the Ecclesiasticall historyes is euident wherby it came to passe that she had so many martyrs Againe if she had layn hidden for so many ages she had byn altogeather vnworthy of the Name of a Church For how may she be called the Church of Christ that dareth not publickely to professe the true Doctrine of Christ or that she should be so faint-harted fearfull of death as to hide herselfe in a darke cormer so many ages togeather and dare to come abroad into the light least she should be seene And last of all how can she be called the Church of Christ that for so many ages hath not only hidden herselfe and suppressed the true profession of faith but hath professed also a false faith to wit Papistry adored Idols and defiled herselfe with a thousand superstitions and sacriledges For that before Luther all Christians did carry themselues outwardly in all points as Catholikes or els straight would they haue byn apprehended and accused by the Inquisitors and Bishops and punished as heretâ—kes And therfore should the Church of Christ haue byn more miserable then the ruines of the Synagoge or the lewish Sect which alwayes in some place or other had their Synagoges and free profession of their Religion nor was euer constrayned at least generally to the worship of Idols She should I say haue byn more miserable then all hereticall sects and Conuenticles whatsoeuer For that there was neuer any Sect of any name which had not her temples her religious houses her Couuents her Bishops the forme and profession of her faith that so she might be knowne of all Wherby it is manifest that nothing can be more absurdly said then that the Church of Christ hath layen hid for so many ages and therfore I do conclude with this Dilemma That the Lutheran or Caluinian religion was eyther before their Authors to wit Luther and Caluin or it was not If it were not then is it altogeather new and therfore cannot be the religion of Christ which is ancieÌ„t If it were before the
as sent of God for the sauing of the sheep and in the meane tyme they destroyed the sheep with the poysoned foode of their doctrine By their fruits sayth our Lord you â—hall know them And what fruite is this Seditions warres the spoyling and ouerthrowing of Churches and Monasteryes the ruining of Cittyes the abolishing of ancient piety and deuotion the giuing scope to all enormityes and wickednes We know by testimony of the Apostle that many heresyes shall rise in the latter tymes and that many false Prophets and seducers shall by the instigation of Sathan shew themselues Wherefore as often as any new doctrine that opposeth it self against the Church putteth the head forth we must at least suspect it together with the Author therof Wherefore I desire beseech all The conclusion of the whole worke that be out of the Catholike Church by the goodnes of God whereby we be created and by Christs bloud wherwith we are redeemed by the euerlasting inheritance which we expect in heauen and by that torrent and full measure of Diuine pleasure wherwith they shall be there made druÌ„ke who shall perseuere in truth and iustice to the end that they would apprehend and conceyue of this busynes throughly and attentiuely consider whether they stand vpon a solid and sound foundation whether they are likely to be secure touching their religion at their houre of death and when they shall stand before the Tribunall of Christ in that instant of tyme when an eternall and immutable sentence is to be receyued Let them examine this our Consultation which we haue written to that end Let them not rest vntill they shall haue duly discussed all and gotten the plaine euidency in a busynes so greatly importing them Let then thinke how great a punishment attendeth on them if the religion that they hold be heresy themselues be heretiks And that it is heresy and a most pestilent one indeed all Catholike Doctors all Vniuersityes and all the Christian world excepting those who follow it the number of whome compared with others is very little their learning very meane do hold for vndoubted and most certaine in so much as an infinite number there be who be ready to dye and to expose the euerlasting saluation of their soules for confession therof And in very deed Heresy is a most grieuous syn First How great a syn Heresy is because it is the cause that a man preferreth his owne iudgment before that of all the Fathers of all the Doctors of the Church of all Councells and of all the Bishops of the whole world For he contemneth them all as men destitute and deuoid of Gods spirit which he arrogateth to himselfe alone and to others his like and therein a wonder it is how great pride there is Secondly he censureth Christs Spouse which is the Church to haue coÌ„mitted adultery with Sathan to be the child of perdition Thirdly he chargeth it with the cryme of Idolatry and with diuers superstitions Fourthly he casteth forth many blasphemies against the holy Eucharist and Gods Saints Fiftly he handleth al holy sacred things after a most vnworthy manner Sixthly he calleth Christs Vicar on earth Antichrist calumniateth and reproacheth him a thousand wayes without any colour of truth at all The same doth he with al degrees orders of the Church To be short euery Heretike hath a good will to ouerthrow the whole Church and to extinguish al Catholike religion Thus you see that the heresy of our age contayneth extreme pride many foule blasphemyes How grieuous punishment heresie deserueth many calumnies slaunders and most iniurious proceedings many sacriledges and an extreme deadly hatred against Christs Church For all these euills and many more be intrinsecally in heresy and it habitually inclineth vnto them dayly doth euen actually moue and dryue vnto them So do all Doctors of the Catholike Church hold of Heresy and the thing is more then plaine of it selfe as experience teacheth And therefore Heresy consorted with these her Impes and ofspring is a greater syn then be an infinite number of sinnes of Catholikes And now according to what we haue said let them I beseech you dayly weigh and consider how great will be the punishment of this sinne ad Gal. 5. Col. â— 1. Cor. 6. 1. Tim. 1. c. For if but for one sinne of theft or of fornication vnles a man here help himselfe by the antidote of pennance he is to endure fire euerlasting as the Scripture teacheth what and how great paine and punishment is he to expect for the sinne of heresy which exceedeth a thousand thefts and a thousand fornications If the paine that our fire naturally inflicteth should be a thousand tymes more hoate and schorching then now it is and one were cast into it how sore incomprehensible and insufferable a paine would it be Let none flatter himselfe that there shall not be in that placee the paine of fire but onely I know not what terrors of God incensed with anger as Caluin feigneth But this assertion of his is ouer plainely repugnant to Scripture Math. 25. Marc. 9. Psal 10. Psal 20. A pocal 20. for as much as it sayth Goe yee into fire euerlasting Againe Their worme dyeth not and the fire is not quenched Againe He shall vpon sinners raine snares fire and brimstome and the spirit of tempests shall be the part of their cup. Thou shall put them as a fornace of fire in the time of thine anger Our Lord in his anger shall trouble them and fire shall deuour them The false Prophet was throwne into a poole of fire and of brimstone The same is the opinion of all the ancient doctors besides wherefore we must hold for certaine that there shal be a true fire there more intensiue and more scorching then our fire here wherein all heretiks shall burne and shall be tormented both day and night for all eternity as long as there shall be an hell as long as heauen shall stand and as long as God shall liue who dyeth not And the smoke of their torments shall ascend in the sight of our Lord for euer and euer These words be most faythfull and true Then shall they accurse them who deceiued them and their maisters by whome they were drawn and brought into that misery They shall accurse the deuill who blinded their eyes that they saw not the truth and vnder a pretence of piety diuersely bewitched them They shall also accurse themselues for giuing eare vnto them for so foolishly imbracing a new doctrine without diligently examining it before and for hauing been so blind negligent and slouthfull in discussion of a matter that so neerely concerned them Wherefore to the end they may not cast themselues headlong into this gulfe and sea of miseries let them with all care study and diligence examine this whole busines of religion and there about vse the counsaile and aduise of men of greatest wisdom learning