but with their mother sister fathers sisters and mothers sisters but should liue chaste And in the 14 Canon it makes mention of Priests that do sacrifice as S. Basile expoundeth this Canon in his Epist to Parcorius Epi. stry As appeareth in the third Canon and acknowledged by all the Doctors of your Church And not only this point is approued by this Councell Theod. li 1 hist cap. 8. Doctrina de Baptis Can 69. ca. 10. ca. 11. but likewise sundry others As 1. vnwritten Traditions 2. that the Sacraments by the institution of Christ do conferre grace 3. that extreame Vnction was a Sacrament The Reall presence Indulgences with many other points of Catholike Doctrine maintained to this day in the Church of Rome Your honors then do see that this Councell which we haue placed as Fore-man is altogether for vs cōcerning Catholike Priesthood many other points of Religion in controuersy at this day 2. Conc. Arelat An. 330 For the second Iuror we shall place the Councell holden at Arles called Arelatense Concilium celebrated shortly after the Nicene Councell as some do thinke Anno 330. in the 2. 3. Canon doth prohibite the marriage of Priests therefore is reproued by Szegedin a protestāt writer This Priesthood can be vnderstood of no other Priesthood In locis com p. 327. then the Catholike Priesthood our aduersaries being Iudges With many other points of Catholike Doctrine making most of those Canons out of the Nicene Councell a manifest proofe that the Nicene Councell did not leaue the matter at libertie of priests marriage The third Iury man shall be the Romane Councell Anno 324 Can. 81. the which maketh mentiō of Cardinals Bisshops Priests Deacons Subdeacons Acolytes Exorcistes Readers and Doore-keepers The which sacred Orders are no where to be found but in our Catholike Church Which is acknowledged by the Centurywriters Cent. 4. col 873. mē much esteemed of by the Church of England disclaimed by others as by Mr. Fulke in his Retentiue in these words pag. 67. VVith all our hart we defie abhorre detest spit at your greasie Antichristian Orders But you may see by these his wordes that he is vnmindfull of the Antiquitie of these sacred Orders The fourth of our Iury shal be the Councell of Neocaesarea holden Anno 314. and approued by the Councel of Nice which doth decree Can. 1. Can. 1. That Priests who do marry should be deposed of their charge with many other things concerning maners good life The fift of our Iury is the Councel of Laodicea celebrated about the yeare 364. The which decreed Can. 13. that the Priest should not bee elected by the people Pacteolus in Sene Concil Also Can 19. concerning certaine Rites in publicke seruice time as namely some prayers in silence others pronounced then the Pax or kisse of peace to be giuen and the oblation to be offered And Can. 21. That the Subdeacon might not enter into the Vestry and handle the holy vessells And Can. 48. that the Baptised after Baptisme should receaue holy Chrisme And Can. 50. the fift of lent and an 52. not to marry in lent All the which Canons Osiander a learned protestant disclaimes from rebukes bitterly albeit vndeseruedly Osiand Cent. 4. p 393. Now if this Councell maketh for vs Catholikes or you of the Church of England I Appeale to your graue Iudgment and serious considerations The Sixt of our Iury is your Councell called Elibertinum Anno 305. no lesse antcient then the fore said Councells this Councell can 27 can 33. decreed most plainlie against priestes who marry after they haue taken vpon them priesthood This Councell was celebrated about the yeare 305 in Spaine The which Councell the Doctors of your Church vse to obiect against Catholikes concerning Images mistaking the intention of the Councell Anno 396. sub Suiciovt quidem volunt The Seuenth of our Iury is the 2. Councell of of Carthage Anno 386 wherat S. Austine was present subscribed therto which doubted not in like manner to ground this point vpon antiquitie and the Apostles doctrine so that in the 2. Canon it saith these wordes Omnibus placet c In pleaseth vs all that Bishops Priests and Deacons c shall obsteine from wiues which the Apostles did teach and Antiquitie did keepe let vs likewise obserue many other points doth this Councell decree for Catholiks The eight of our Iury is the 3. Councell of Carthage celebrated in the yeare Anno 397. 397. at the which likewise S. Austin was present subscribed therto alloweth of Confession made to a Prieste can 32. and likewise of other points of Catholike doctrine as of Purgatory can 29. c. Anno 398. The 9. of our Iury is the 4. Councell of Carthage in the yeare 398. to the which subscribed S. Austine being there present Asoc vult anno 418. This Councell decreeth can 5.6.7.8.9 for the inferior Orders of Readers Exorcist Acolyth doorkeepers and Subdeacons further mentioning there according to the offices yet vsed a booke of Exorcismes for the Exorcist the Church lightes for the Accolite patten chalice litle cruets full of water and Towell for the priests handes All which are confessed and reproued by the Protestant writer Luke Osiander in his Epitom cent 5. p. 4. The tenth of our Iury is the famous and Generall Councell of Ephesus celebrated about the yeare 431 by 200. Anno 431. Bishops which amongst other Articles and points of our Cath doctrine saith in plaine wordes Incruentam celebramus in Ecclesiis sacrificii seruitutem we do celebrate and offer vp in our Churches an vnbloody sacrifice and in the wordes following approoues euidētly the reall presence Concil Nic. cap 10. causing the Canōs of the Nicene Councell to be publickly read with these wordes Incruentum c. The eleuenth of our Iury is the first Toletane Councell in the yeare 405. which decreed can 20. Anno. 405. sub for consecration of Chrisme by a Bishop and his sending therof to the Priests through his diocesse at easter yearly Also can 1. for the dailie offering Sacrifice c to the great dislike of the Protestant writer Osiander who saith therupon Cent. 5. p 46. who commanded them to offer vp Sacrifice euery day The twelft of our Iury is the Councell Mileuitane about the yeare 416. Anno 416. which decreed can 12. that Masses prayers and ceremonies should not be vsed but such as where allowed by the Councell so doth the Councell of Chalcedon Anno 451. can 15. The second generall Councell of Nice in the 3. tom act 6. saith in most plaine termes Neuer any of the Apostles or Fathers did call our vnbloody sacrifice meaning the masse done in commemoration of the passion of our Sauiour to be the signe or figure of his body for he did not say take you eate you the signe of my body but take you eate you
this my body c Albeit be sore the wordes of the Fathers did call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the symbole or figure of his body So plainly doth the 350. Bishops assembled in this Councell deliuer their sentence in our behalf You see Right honorable Reuerend Graue and Learned Lords the compleate number of our Iury at whom no exceptions can be taken euen the Doctors of your Church being Iudges they being all not only within the first 600. yeares in which time was no corruption in Religion according to the confession of many of our aduersaries heretofore alleadged but in the most florishing estate of the Church Of which time your chiefe man Caluine saith It was a matter out of all doubt that from the beginning euen vntill that time Lib. 4. Instit cap. 2. §. 2. viz to S. Austins daies nothing was changed in doctrine Also in his booke of Institutions in French printed at Geneua by Conradus Badius Anno 1562. he saith expresly That it was a thing notorious without doubt that after the Apostles age vntill those times no change was made in doctrine neither at Rome nor at other citties So plainely do our learned Aduersaries acknowledge that no change of faith was made by the Romane Church from the Apostles age vntill the time of S. Austin Epiphanius Optatus c. which was 440. yeares after Christ Mr. Fulke followeth his Maister Caluine in this pointe saying in his Retentine Pag 85. The Popish church is but an Hereticall assembly departed from the vniuersall church long since Augustines departure on t of this life This is the most common opinion of all Protestant writers And thus much with your good fauours concerning the application of your terme of law called Verdict which is the Triall of honest Iurors SECTION III. THE TESTAMENTI SECONDLY if you respect VVitnesses you shall find all the Ancient Fathers for our cause in so much that sundry of our learned Aduersaries doubt not therefore to make generall disclaime in the ancient Fathers Hence it is that Mr. Whitaker a Learned Protestant affirmeth cont Duraen p. 423. The Popish Religion to be a patched couerlett of the Fathers errors In libel vita I wely printed Londini pag 212. idâ—m Fulk in his petent pag 55. Stratag Satanae li. 6. pag. 296 sowed together And that also Mr. D. Humfrey did greuously reprehend Mr. Iewell for his so bould appealing to the Fathers affirming therefore of Mr. Iewell that herein he gaue the Papists to large a scope that he was iniurious to himself and after a manner spoiled himself the church And Iacobus Acontius in his Treatise dedicated to Queene Elizab. speaking of the bad successe that Protestants writers had in citing the Fathers exhorts them to for beare the citing of them saying Equidem perniciosissimam omninoque fugiendam hanc esse arbitror consuetudmem Certainly I hold this custome viz of c. to be very dangerous wholy to be auoyded viz of citing the Fathers to the writers disaduantage But for feare of suspicion of our VVitnesses we shall bring men so indifferent to our aduersaries vs that we may say of them as S. Aust in like case disputing against the Pelagians saith of the Fathers before his time August adu Iul. Pelag. lib. 2. prope finem lib. 3. cap. 17. lib. 4. cap 12. Neque nobis neque vobis irati sâ—nt c They be angrie neither at you nor at vs what they haue found in the Church that they haue held they haue taught what they haue learned and what they haue receaued from their Forefathers they haue deliured to posterity In so much as your owne learned writers are not wanting in their like answerable commendation Caluine speaking of them saith They indeed speaking of catholikes Caluin Instit lib. 4. cap. 2. Sect. 3. alleadging Antiquity sett forth their churches very gloriously c they report out of Irenaeus Tertullian Origen Augustin others how highly they esteemed this succession wherto he there answereth giueth his like reason therof saying considering it was a matter out of all doubt that from the beginning vntill that time nothing was chaÌ„ged in doctrine the holy Doctors tooke in argument that which was sufficient for the ouerthrowing of all new errors to witt that they viz the Heretiques oppugned the doctrine which euen froÌ„ the very Apostles themselues had beene inviolably with one consent retained And Mr. Iewell a famous Protestant in his replye to Mr. Harding pag. 266 saith The godly Fathers meaning them before S. Austins time sought to the church of Rome which then for puritie in Religion and constancie in thesame was most famous aboue all others this fore said time was the first 440 yeares after christ Therfore for the further satisfaction of our aduersaryes wee shall bring for witnesses euen them who liued within the fore said time viz. within before S. Augustin his time If need were we might bring for witnesses S. Andrew the Apostle In Epist ad Eccles Achaiae cap. 1. who in a booke made by himself and written by his disciples and generally receaued for authenticall by the whole Churche Christian world these wordes are recorded to haue beene spoken by himself I daylie sacrifice to Almighty God the immaculate lamb who notwithstanding that he is truely sacrificed and his flesh truely eaten by the people yet doth he still remayne whole liuing S. Clemens Epist 3 no priest ought to say mask without the Bishops leaue S. Martial Epist ad Burdegalensis cap. 3. A sacrifice is offered vpon the Altar is God the creator not to man or Angell Of the said S. clement there is mention made in the Apostle S. Paule his Epistle to the Philippi caâ— 4. vers 3. where he is numbred among the followers of S. Paul and who was third Pope after S. Peter who did write many things which he had oâ— verball tradition of the Apostles who liued about the yeare 80. The afore said S. Martiall was sent by Saint Peter into France who afterwards was Bish. of Limoge in France who liued in the yeare 50. of whom Baronius doth write Likewise may be alleaged the fiue liturgies or Masses of the Apostles In Mart. 30. Iun. Proclus de Tradit diuina The first of S. Peter in defence of which Willaim Lindane a learned Catholike writeth an Apologie The second of S Iames the greater alleaged by S. Proclus Patriarch of Constantinople who liued in the yeare 460 The third of S. Iames the lesser alleaged by the fore said proclus wherof mention is made likewise in the Councell of Trull in the yeare 680. The fourth the liturgie of S. Mathew which the Aethiopians do vse and is called in their language Corbon that is Missah in Hebrew and in Latin Oblatio of this Liturgy or terme of Masse writeth Genebrard Gen. in finc primia saeculi Vbi sup The fift is that of S. Mark vsed long time in
Alexandria of this likewise writeth Genebrard Of these Liturgies writeth Coccius lib. de Euchar. art 1.4 likewise mention is made of them in the booke called Bibliotheca Patrum in the 6. Tom. of the edition 1589. But least we become tedious to your graue Attention we will bring onely the Testimonies of some holy Fathers who liued in the most flourishing estate of Christs Church who be most commended of our Aduersaries The first of or VVitnesses shal be S. Denis Areopagite disciple of S. Paul of whom there is mention made in the actes of the Apostles Act. 17 14. who liued in the yeare 90. of whom Sutcliffe the Protestant writer saith de presb cap. 13. pag. 91 Orm. in his picture of a Puritan pa. 1605. Eccl. hist cap. 3. Dionysius antiquitatis optimus sanè testis videtur enim esse antiquissimus This S. Denis then who as Mr Oliuier Ormerod a learned Protestant writeth liued in the Apostles times in his Ecclesiasticall Hierarchie setteth downe the most of the Ceremonies that the Catholike Church vseth in celebrating the Masse viz the prayers the burning of Frankincense about the Altar the singing of Psalmes parcells of scripture which be read the washing of handes the giuing of the Pax the Eleuation of the holy Hoste the Adoration of thesame the Comunion receauing of the SacrameÌ„t yea he affirmeth that no sooner the B. Sacrament is on the Altar but there be present troopes of Saints This ancient Father in all his books maketh so much for vs both in this all other pointes of our Catholike Faith and against our Aduersaries that Caluine Lib 1. ca 1 §. 4 Câ—nâ— 1. li. 2 c 10 col 637. the Century writers haue no other refuge but to call in question the bookes of S. Denis albeit most vniustly preferring the saying and false opinion of Erasmus Laurentius Valla both GrammariaÌ„s before the authority of an infinite number of ancient Doctors Origen Orig. hom 2. indiuers ante med Athanas in Scholiâ—s in opera â—ionysii Chrys epist ad CaroluÌ„ Caluum gric hom 34 Fulk in his confut of Purgat pag 353. Coup in his dict at the wo d Dionyâ—ius pag. 105. who liued in the yeare 230. in one of his Homilies alleadging a passage of S. Denis his Caelestiall Hierarchy termeth him Great S. Denise Areopagite S. Athanasius who liued in the yeare 319 that Great Diuine S. Chrysostome who liued in the yeare 390 that Caelestiall birde S. Gregor the Great who liued in the yeare 590. Calleth him ancient venerable Father And not only are his bookes acknowledged by the ancient Fathers but euen by our late Protestante writers as by Mr Fulk Hermanus D. Bridges Lord Bishop of Oxford who did thinke him to haue beene before S. Basils dayes who liued in the yeare 370. by Mr. Cooper late Bishop of winchester by Mr. Oliuier Ormrod in his picture of a puritane in proofe of the Crosse made in Baptisme And by the Archbishop of Canterb in his answere to an admonition And this concerning our first witnes The second of our VVitnesses is S. Ignatius Scholler vnto S. Iohn the Euangelist who liued in the yeare 100. writeth thus in his vndoubted Epistle ad Smyrnenses Ad Smyrnenses that the Bishop is as highe Priest in respecte of his Priesthood affirming further that in the Church nothing is greater then the Bishop who sacrificeth vnto God for the safety of the whole world because it is saith he not lawfull without a Bishop to offer immaculate Sacrifice Ibidem to celebrate the masse c. This saying of S. Ignatius is acknowledged not gainsaid by the late Bishop of Canterb Mr. Whitgift in his Def. pag. 408. For further proofe of this and like sayings of S. Ignatius see S. Hierom lib. de viris illustribus ibidem it is not lawfull without a Bishop to offer Sacrifice or to celebrate masse The third VVitnesse is S. Irenaeus Scoller to S. Policarpus who was Disciple to S. Iohn Euangelist and liued in the yeare 170 who some times was Bishop of Lyons in France Lib. 4. aduersus Haeres This Irenaeus affirmeth that besides the spirituall Priestly Order of all the Iust another peculiar Priesthood of the Apostles who are in respect therof to attend dailye vpon God the Altar Dialog cum Tryph. The fourth VVitnesse is Iustinus Mart. who liued in the yeare 130. he affirmeth that the sacrifice of the Eucharist is by the Institution of Iesus Christ that it is celebrated throughout all the world by the Christians Euseb li. 4 c. 17 Hier. in catalog and that by the Priests only his bookes and workes are reported by Eusebius and S. Hierom. Origen hom 21. in Num. The fift VVitnesse is Origen who liued the yeare 230. In his 21 homily on the booke of Numeri the which homilies he did write before his falling into error doth Iudge that it appertaineth only to theÌ„ that liue chast continually to offer sacrifice The sixt VVitnesse is S. Cyprian Epist 63 ad Caecil who liued in the yeare 240. in his Epistle ad Caecilium saith thus If Iesus Christ our Sauiour God be himself cheif Priest of his Father and the first who did offer vp himself as a sacrifice to God the Father commanded vs to doe the same in commemoration of him Truely it followeth that the Priest who imitates that which Christ did doe is in the place of Christ and doth offer vp to God the Father a true and full sacrifice whensoeuer he beginneth to offer according to that manner as was offered by Iesus Christ this S. Cyprian for the which wordes the Century writers do reproue and reiect him The seuenth VVitnesse is S. Basil Liturg. Eccles Cappad apud Cocc li. de Euch. who professed a monasticall life and liued in the yeare 370. He setteth downe the ceremonies forme of the sacrifice of the masse which were obserued within his diocesse he being then Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia The 8. VVitnesse is S Iohn Chrysostome Lib de Sacerd. who liued in the yeare 390. in his booke de Sacerdotio speaking of the consecration of the host in the sacrifice of the masse saith thus The wordes are pronouÌ„ced by the Priest and are consecrated by the grace Chrys orat coÌ„tra geÌ„tes qd vnus est Deus vertue of God The booke which he maketh of Priesthood is a sufficient proofe of his opinion in this and other points of our Catholike Religion in the which book he affirmeth that in Britanie there were Altaria Christo dedicata The 9 VVitnesse is Tertullian one of the Latine Churche who liued in the yeare 220. whose authoritie is reuerenced not only by the Ancient Fathers In his picture of a Purit pa 3 but likewise by our aduersaryes Ormerod a Protestant writer doth alledge Tertullian his opinioÌ„ of the signe of the crosse Baptisme against his Puritane Brethren This
S. Clement Pope who was third Pope after S. Peter and liued about the yeare 102 who saith Ep. 3. thus in one of his Epistles Let noe Priest say masse in his Parish without the licence of his Bishop And by saying of Masse the Eucharist was giuen and receiued o◠the people as is witnessed by S. Dionyse S. Ignatius S. Marcellus who liued in the second Age as before hath beene shewed After S. Clement succeeded S. Anaclete Anacletus Ep. 1 in the yeare 03 who commaunded that masse should be celebrated only in holy places After him S Alexander who died for the Faith in the yeare 131. Baron in mart 3 May. he did confirme the Apostolike constitution of mingling wine with water in the sacrifice of the masse In decretis Sixti Papae After him was S. Sixtus Romanus in the yeare 142. who commaunded that the sacred vessels vsed at masse at other times should not be handled nor touched by any man but by the who were in holy Orders After him was S Felesphor◠who had binan anchorite in Greece he died in the yeare 154. he ordained that the masse should be celebrated in the night in Christmasse euen c. After him succeeded S. Pius an Italian who died in the yeare 167. in one of his Epistles to Iustus Bishop of Vienna he saith Tom. 1. Biblio SS Patrū we do celebrate the masse in the Churche of Euprepia c. After him or as some say before him succeeded S. Anicet who died in the yeare 175. he would that the Priest should beare a shauen crowne Anacletus Ep. ad Gallos his decrees are extant Tom. 1. Concil After him succeeded Soter and died 179. who commaunded that none should celebrate masse without one to help him And so successiuely one after another vntill S. Siluesters time who was Pope in the time of Constantine the great the first Christian Emperor who was Christened by the said S. Siluester These be the Bishops of Rome whom Mr. Ridley termeth Patriarkes who did maintaine pure doctrine All of them being before Constantine the first true Christian Emperor And as for that he saith that in the first Christian Emperors times the Gospell did florish it is most manifest that Cōstantine who was Emperor in the yeare of our Lord 306. did allow of Monkes through out Syria Palestina Bithynia c. Cent. cent 4. col 2441. did keepe in his company court Massing Priests with all prouision to that effect as Zozimus affirmeth he did attribut supremacie to the Bishop of Rome Zozim hist li. 1 cap. 8. Frig. in his palma ad Sereniss Reginā Aug. as affirmeth Frigiuellaus Gauius a Protestant Writer with other points of our Catholike doctrine in whose time the Churches doctrine was one and the same as it is at this day concerning Freewill iustification by workes Confession of sinnes to a Priest Inioined penance Absolution of such as had confessed giuen by imposition of handes Also with affirming penance to be the second table after Shipwrack vnwritten Traditions inuocation of Saints Purgatory Altars consecrated with the signe of the Crosse Chrisme the reall presence Transubstantation Cent. 4. sacrificing for the dead and many other points which the Centurists of Magdeburg call errors of that time Now seeing that Maister Ridley saith that the first Bishops of Rome the first Christian Emperors did set out Christs glory and did administer duely the Sacraments It followeth that in his opinion these points defended and taught by the Churche in those times are no lesse now pure true doctrine and that the Eucharist is duely administred by massing Priests Sect 6. MR. HOOKER in his praeface to his bookes of Eccl. Policy saith That wee are right sure of this that nature Scripture experience haue all taught the world to seek for the ending of contentions by submitting it self vnto some Iudiciall and definitiue sentence whervnto neither parties that contend may vnder any pretence refuse to stand Now seing all Generall Prouinciall Councells haue giuen their Iudiciall definitiue sentence concerning this point in fauor of vs Catholikes And on the other side seing neither Mr. Hooker nor any Protestant can alleadge any generall Councell or Prouinciall or any Synodicall Conuenticle before this last 100. yeares to the contrary It followeth according to Mr. Hooker that wee should allow of the Sacrifice of the Masse seing Councclls in their Iudiciall definitiue sentēces haue allowed of it And much more because he affirmeth most constantly in his bookes of Eccl. Pol. that the Church of Rome is to be reputed as a part and limme of the Church Lib. 5. pag. 188. and house of God But because I can not tell whether our aduersaries Will allow what their followes did write or teache in the dayes of Queene Elizabeth seing they defend as D. Doue a Protestant writer affirmeth perswas pag. 31. they may often change and doe at least at the change of euery Prince These be his own woordes VVhen the masse was first Put down King Henry had his English Liturgie that was iudged absolute without exception But when Edward came to the Crowne that was condemned and an other put in the place which Peeter Martyr and Bucer did approue as very consonant to Gods woord VVhen Queen Elisabeth beganne her raigne the former was iudged to be full of imperfections and a new was diuised and allowed by the consent of the Clergie But about the midle of her raigne we grew weary of that book and great meanes haue beene wrought to abandon that and establish another which although it was not obtayned yet we doe at the least at euery change of Prince change our book of common prayer we be so wanton that we know not what we would haue Thus Doctor Doue Therfore to giue our Aduersaries all aduantages you shall heare the reporte of those Protestant writers who haue written since the beginning of his Maiesties raigne in England and so much and so incharitably against vs Catholikes that for that cause one of their owne number Ormer pict Pap. in postscript adiudgeth many of their bookes to the fire and their Authors worthie of death MR. MIDLETON Papistomast pag. 137. 138. graunteth with S. Chrysost S. Aug. S. Epiphan That Sacrifice and Prayer for the dead was an Apostolicall Tradition D SVTCLIFFE against the three Conuers pag. 791. saith Christes true Church is a diligent and wary keeper of doctrines committed to her and changeth nothing at any time diminisheth nothing addeth nothing superflius looseth not her owne nor vsurpeth things belonging to others But seing D. SVTCLIFFE can not deny but the church of Rome was once Chrysts true church therfore it followeth according to D. Sutcliffe opinion that the church of Rome must needes haue diligently and warely kept the doctrine of such a maine and essentiall point of her cheife function as is the Sacrifice of the Masse nor changing nor adding any
thing superfluous thervnto MR. WILLET antilog pag 144. assureth you that diuerse of the Romane Church not only of the ignorant but of the Learned be saued and Saintes in heauen His wordes be these It is not denied by any Protestant but many renowned Kinges Queenes who might not plead ignorance of the Romane Faith are saintes in heauen And speaking of his maiesties Mother he attributeth such holinesse and truth to her Religion and her that it preuailed with God not only for her self but her sonne our soueraigne also his wordes be Willet antilog Engl. praef to the K. The child of such Prayers and teares cannot possibly fall away Now if to assist at the celebration of the Masse is to committ idolatry as our aduersaries would haue it Mr. Willet could neuer haue accounted these Kinges and Queenes to be saintes in heauen whose cheiffe and dayly exercice of deuotion was to assist therat D. Couell writeth of the Churche in these woordes in his def of Mr. Hooker pag. 30 art 4. That which by her Ecclesiasticall authoritie she shall probably think and define to be true or good most in congruity of reason ouer rule all other inferior iudgments whatsoeuer to theÌ„ that out of a singularitie of their owne aske vs why we thus hang our iudgments on the Churches sleeue we answere with Salomon Two are better then one for when in matters of lesse moment it was neuer thought safe to neglect the iudgment of many and hassly to follow the fancy and opinion of some fewe Now but that the Church of Rome hath had the definition of generall Councells and consent of Fathers in behalf of Catholike Priesthood and other pointes of Religion contradicted this day neither D. Couel nor any man euer douted hence it is that D Couel vbi supra pag. 73. concludeth thus It is strange for any man to deny them of the Church of Rome to be of the Church D. Murton part 2. apol pag. 340. lib. 4. cap. 18 auoucheth confideÌ„tly that a generall CouÌ„cell is highesâ— iudge so doth the Bishop of Winchester B. Bilsoâ—â— suruey pag. 85. and others but all men know thâ— Protestants not to be able to produce any generaâ— Councell consisting of meere Protestantes as thâ— Protestant Relator of Religion Relat. of Religâ— cap. 47. ingeniously confesseth and let it suffise tâ— Catholikes to bring the late generall Councell of Trent at the which Protestants Religion was nominatim condemned as heresie by six Cardinals foure Legates three Patriarches two and thirtie Archbishops 228. Bishops and 4. Abbots And so D. Morton must acknowledge the highest iudge to be for vs. D. Doue pleading for an vnion betwixt Catholikes and Protestantes speaking in fauour of the Church of Rome saith No Church can be condemned and adiudged hereticall by any priuate censure but it must be publicke by a generall Councell D. Doue persuas pag. 14. and pag 27. 28 he saith that according to the Catholikes definition of a Sacrament there be as many as they teach and this shall not breed any such iarre betwene vs that therfore we should refuse to communicate togeather and transubstantation it selfe shall be no bar The Bishop of Winchester in his suruey B. Bilsons suruey pag. 85. writeth thus The ancient consent of Godly Fathers is with great care to be scearched and followed of vs cheifly in the rule of faith Now seing the ancient Fathers make for vs in this point as hath thertofore beene shewed it followeth the B. of Winchester must allow of this point in controuersie seing it is there doctrine Mr. Parkes against Limbomâ—stix pag. 86. citeth and approueth the Councell of Lateran as a rule of Faith but that this Councell alloweth of transubstantation Can. 1. of Confession to a Priest Can. 21. Celebrating of Masse Can. 58. of Reliques can 62. may easely be seen by any man who will but read this Councell D Downam lib. 2. Antichrist pag. 165. graunteth with S. Aug. and Victor Vticensis that to adheare to the Church of Rome was a marcke of a true Catholike in those times But what the Church of Rome held in those dayes concerning Catholike Priesthood and other pointes of controuersie it may be seen by that which hath beene heretofore said But not to seeme tedious to your wisdomes I will conclude this section with the reporte which one of our aduersaries theÌ„selues maketh of Catholikes and of their Religion Relation of the stat of Relig. cap 48. the Authors wordes be There are among them vndoubtedly in great multitude men vertuous Learned fraught with the loue of God and the truth aboue all thinges men of memorable integritie of harte an affections cap 6. in their Sermons much matter both of Faith and piety is eloquently deliuered by men of wonderfull zeale and spirit c. Ibidem The outward state and glorie of their seruice doth ingender quicken increase and nourrishe the inward reuerence respect and deuotion which is dve vnto Soueraigne Maiestie power cap. 9. there deedes of charitie are exceeding cap. 48. we find amongst them excellent order of gouerment singular helpes for increase of godlines and deuotion for the profiting of vertue SECTION V. OF PRIORITIE of possession RIGHT wise and Learned Iudges we are not ignorant but that Prioritie of Possession amongst you receaueth this fauour in your lawe that to the party disseised of such his possession you afford speciall remedy by Writt of Assise allowing him also the benefitt of his coÌ„tinuall claime to preuent discent vpon the other parties dying seysed Therefore we require your graue considerations concerning this pointe of Prioritie of Possession how it maketh for vs and against our aduersaries euen they being Iudges The holy Fathers doubt not vpon this ground of Prioritie of Possession to vrge the Succession of the Romane Bishops as a strong vnanswerable argument against the Heretikes of those times So Irenaeus against the Heretikes of his time you ought saith he to obey those Irenaeus lib. 3. adu haereses cap. 3. who haue their Succession from the Apostles c So Tertull. lib. de praescript aduersus haeres let haeretikes set forth the beginnig of their Churches let them recount the order of their succeeding Bishops if they can And after setting downe in ranke the Bishops of Rome from S. Peter to Eleutherius he saith Confingant tale quid Haereticiâ— c. let Heretikes bring forth any such thing S. Hier. vnic Lyr. c. So S. Hierom in Apol. 1. adu Ruffinum So Vincentius Lyrinensis adu Haereses Commendeth the Romane Church for maintayning alwayes with so great force study and contention Susceptae semel Religionis integritatem the puritie of ReligioÌ„ which it first receaued So did S. Austin against Manichaeus these be his wordes August coÌ„t Ep. Manich cap. 4. Tom. 7. Multa sunt quae in Ecclesiae gremio me iustissime teuent c. I am held in the besome of the Church by the SuccessioÌ„ of Priests Bishops that
haue come downe euen from the first Seate of S. Peter the Apostle to the present Bishop of Rome Anastasius that holdeth the Seate at this day thus he Reyn in his confer with M. Hart. pag. 443 The which saying of S. Aug. being vrged by a Catholike Writer Mr. Hart against Mr. Reynoldes He maketh him aknowledge that the Succession of the Romane Bishops was a proofe of true Faith in the time of S. Augustine Epiphan Optatus Tertullian Irenaeus The like acknowledgmēt or answere thereto is made by many other Learned Protestants as by Mr. Ridley in Mr Fox his Acts Mon. pag. 1359. by Mr. Iewell in his Reply to Mr. Harding pag. 246. by Caluin in his Instit li. 4. ca. 2. Now if Possession and Succession of some hundred yeares were so esteemed of by those holy Fathers yea euen by our aduersaryes themselues as a proofe of true Faith and Apostolicall doctrine Shall not the Possession with a continuall not interrupted Successiō of 239. Bishops during a thousand sixe hundred and odde yeares be of great force valew and shall not such a Prioritie of Possession receaue fauour in your lawe seing it is but the last day and as yet within your owne appointed time of Limitation since we in this kingdome were thrust out of our former rightfull so long continued possession all contrary to the Auncient lawes of Nations condemned of crime and transgression in the matter of Religion not so much as hauing our accusers before vs nor place to defend vs concerning the crime But our Aduersaryes beeing not able to denie this Succession of Bishops in the Sea of Rome for so doing it were to oppose themselues against all writers both sacred prophane they Imagine a supposed change of Religion during the fore said succession Pleaseth it therefore your wisedomes we shew further demonstration of her not change in this point mentioned in our application neither in any Article of Faith by manifest testimonie of our learned aduersaries It is generally confessed by our Aduersaries that our now professed Cath. Faith concerning Cath. Priesthood likewise all other needfull points of Faith professed not only by the Catholiks of England but of all Nations where the Cath. Faith is professed is one and the same which hath beene taught defended these last 1000. yeares euen since our conuersion from Paganisme to the Christian Faith by S. Austine the Monke sent by Pope Gregory into England that it was most vndoubtedly our now professed Cath. Faith it remaineth yet to this present day euident in two speciall respects As first by our established continuance in our Cath. Faith without any other noted or known beginning thereof or of any one part thereof from this present age vp to the first time of our first conuersion for otherwise could the English Cronographers of euery of those meane ages make dalie mention of the other Alterations changes which happened in this Kingdome either in temporall or Church affaires could could they recite in particular the noted heresies arising As the heresies of Lollards Wicklifists the rest arising in England noted by the ancient Historiographers by our late Writers Mr Stow Holinshead Fox and the Century-writers in the fifth chapter of very Ctntury of foundations of so many Bishops Seas cathedrall Churches colleges Monasteries c. as are noted by Mr. Harrison in his description of England Cap. 2. pa. 140. Togethr also with the alteration of our temporall lawes and so many mutations in gouerment by Saxons Danes Normans and otherwise the many battailes fought the many rebellions attempted the succession of Kings times of their deathes the creation of nobilitie the onerthrow of noble families and be withall yet wholy silent in that so great change of Religion Mr. Godwin in his catalogue of the Bishops of England reporting distinctly the very names succession in so many seuerall Seas of our English Catholike Bishops euen from this present age vp to the foresaid Augustine once Bishop of Canterbury reporting likewise their actes good or euill yett makes no mention of any change or innouation brought or assented to by any one of these many Bishops so much as but in any one point of our now professed Catholike Faith Whereas on the contrary part we are able to shew to them the beginning contradiction of the aduerse doctrine not only of these innouatouts here in England as of Wicliffs Tindall their old new Apostles but likewise of all haeresies Innouation Contradiction with the time place thereof euen since the Apostles times Your wisedomes therefore may discerne that our now professed Cath. doctrine thus perpetuating it selfe by the hand of time with a current not interrupted successiō but cōtinued euen from the Raigne of King Henry the 8. vp to the first time of our said cōuersion demonstrateth it selfe most plainly therby to be the same vndoubted Cath. Religion whereto we Englishmen were first conuerted by S. Austin Secondly this point is made as yet much more certaine euident in that sundry of our aduersaries yea the most learned amongst them as D. Humfrey Humf. in Iesuit part 2. ra◠5. p. 5 Carion l. 4. in Cron. p. 567. Luke Osiander in his Epit. hist Eccl. cent 6. pag. 289. 290. the Century-writers of Magdeburch Cent. 6. cap. 10. col 148 others do describe the particulars of Religion so then taught professed by S. Gregory S. Augustine writing and affirming the said particulars to be Altars Vestiments Images Chalices Crosses Candlestickes Censars holy Vessels holy water the sprinkling thereof Reliques Translation of Reliques Dedicating of Churches to the bones ashes of Saints consecrating of Altars Chalices Corporalls consecration of the Font of Baptisme Chrisme Oyle Consecration of Churches with sprinkling of holy water Celebration of Masse the Archbishops Pallatt solemne Masse-time Romane Masse bookes a burden as they terme it of ceremonies Free will Merite and Iustification by workes Penance Satisfaction Purgatory the Vnmarried life of Priests publique inuocation of Saints and their worship the worshipping of Images Exorcismes Pardons Vowes Monachisme Transubstantatiō Praier for the dead the Romane Bishops claime exercise of Iurisdiction and primacy ouer all Churches and lastly euen the whole Chaos of Popish superstition as these Protestant Writers blasphemously terme it So farre the foresaid writers affirme these particulars to haue bene taught by the Churche of Rome and in the which the English men were first instructed by S. Augustine sent by S. Gregory Printed at Basil 1558. as Io. Bale in Act. Rom Pont. pag. 44. 45. 46. saith that Augustine was sent from Gregory to season the English Saxons with Popish faith Euen here Right honorable wise might we make our stand and so presume without all further proceeding humbly to offer vp to your graue considerations whether it were not a point of high Iudgement altogether vnworthy your mature learned iudgements to