their faith to God ward was spread abroad And that this is the onlie thing which these words import their late Estiê° on Rom. 1. showeth As for testimonies of Fathers and 1. to that of Cyprian who writting to Cornelius sayeth Whilst with you there is one mind and one â—oyce the whole Church is confessed to be RomaÌ„ I answere 1. That Cyprians words are perverted which are these dum apâ—â— vos unus animus una vox est Ecclesia omnis Romana confessa est that is Whilst with you there is one minde and one voyce the whole RomaÌ„ Church hath confessed Cyprian thus commending the Church of Rome for an unanimous confession of faith before heathen persecutors as others had done which indeed proveth the soundnes of the Roman Church in Cyprians time as a meÌ„ber of the catholik church but not that shee only then was the Catholick Church 2. Giving that these were the words of Cyprian as they are alleadged they would import onlie that whil the RomaÌ„ Church keeped the unitie of the true faith that all other orthodox and sister Churches of these times would acknowledge themselves to bee of her communion and this we may see confessed by Stapleton relect con 1. q. 5. who giveth this to be the reason why by the ancients the Roman and Catholick Church wer held for one thing because her communion sayeth he with the whole Catholick Church was then most evident and certaine whence it followeth that shee her self then was not the whole Catholick Church 3. where it is said to Pope Cornelius Whilst with you there is one minde one voice that is as long as you kepe the trueth and profession thereof this speech being conditionall and limited it importeth that shee might lose the same as shee hath done Therefore not only was shee forewarned Rom. 11. 20. Not to be high minded but feare but also Cyprian ad Pompeium accuseth Pope Steven who succeeded Cornelius that he maintayned the cause of Hereticks against the Church of God the Pope then and Roman Church under him in Cyprians estimation maintayning Hereticks against the Church could not theÌ„ be accounted by him to be the Catholick Church nor yet to be infallible The second testimonie of Augustins where he sayeth That they who dissent from the bodie of Christ which is the Church they are not in the Catholick Church proveth nowise that the RomaÌ„ Church is this onlie Catholick Church But rather as the words of that testimonie beareth The whole body of Christendom And as for Jeroms words That it is all one to say the Roman faith and the Catholick faith I haue alreadie answered that this was because of her communion with the Catholick Church when Rome was orthodox and as Isai 1. 21 The faithfull City was not become an Har lot 10. THat the Churches unitie is not necessarie in al points of faith I answere that this is an impudent Calumnie as the Harmonie of Confession of reformed Churches showeth and ours in particular of 1581. art 16. For wee maintaine that a two-fold unitie is necessarie to be in Christs church to wit An unitie in Trueth and an unitie in affection both which wee should pray for and promove that as the psalmist speaketh 122. 7. peace may bee within her walls and prosperitie within her palaces And because they brag so much of unitie in doctrine and all points of faith for stopping the mouths of all Romanists ever heereafter ut ex ungue Leonem I will onelie amongst many instance but in one or two maine points of poperie that their unitie is like the division of tongues which was amongst the builders of Babell The first is papall Indulgences and Pardons which are so lucrative dependeth on their Purgatorie wherin thus they varie 1. Some of the old schoolmen as Bellar. witnesseth lib. 1. de Indulg cap. 2. they doubt of this spirituall treasure and Francis Mayro on 4. sent D. 19. maketh question in particular sayth hee of the treasure of Christs overflowing satisfactions laid up in the Church Againe Durand likewise on 4. sent D. 2. doubteth if the satisfaction of saints belong to the treasure but S. Thomas and Bonaventure sayeth hee thinketh that both belongeth thereunto Againe this is denyed by sundrie ancient Divines sayeth Bellarmin lib. 1. de Indulg cap. 7. That pardons delivereth men from punishment not onelie before the Church but also before God and verie graue Authours sayeth hee as Alfonsus Durand Paludanus Pope Adrian the 6. Petrus à Soto and Cardinall Cajetan hold That pardons were never given but for enjoyned penance but Aquinas Ioannes Major Sylvester Dominicus a Soto Michael medina Ledesinius Antonius Cordubensis Navarrus Panormitan and Ioannes Andreas sayeth hee these maintaine the contrarie 2. For the Persons that haue power to give pardons it is questioned sayeth Bellarmin lib. 1. de Indulg cap. 11. by what law Bishops may give pardons for some hold that they may do it by Gods law sayeth hee but others deny it yea Angelus in summâ— and Bartholemus Fumus do hold that all Priests who may heare confession may also grant pardons sayeth hee and they bring for their warrant Pope Innocentius and Panormitan but the coÌ„mon opinion sayth Bellarmin is contrarie to these 3. For the persons whom they availe thus they varie for amongst the Catholick Doctours sayeth Bellarmin lib. 1. de Indulg cap. 14. Ostiensis in summa and Biel on the canon of the Masse lect 57. haue taught that pardons nowise profite the dead and so this maâ—teth soule Masses but other Catholicks sayeh hee do hold the contrarie Again if they help the dead Bellarmin lib. 1. de Indulg cap. 14. showeth that it is controverted whether by way of suffrage or otherwise and that they are divyded in three opinions Last of all sayeth Bellarmin in the same place the hardest question of all is Whether pardons do help the dead upon any justice or condignitie or onely of the meer and free favour of God and congruitie some hold the first sayeth he as Dominicê° Soto on 4. sent d. 21. Navarrus others hold it to be meerlie of the mercy bounty of God And so holdeth Cajetan Petrus a Soto Cordubensis and others Now in such a division of tongues and Pen's in this point what is popish unitie let any man judge The second grand point which I will instance is TranssubstantiatioÌ„ wheron is grounded the Idoll of their Masse and that idolatrous adoration of their Hostie wherein sayth the Iesuite Aâ—lapide on Isai 7. 14. by the words of consecration as the bread is trulie and reallie transsubstantiat so Christ is brought forth and as it were begotten upon the Altar so powerfully efficaciouslie as if Christ were not yet incarnat yet by these words this is my Bodie He should be incarnat and assume an humane bodie therfore sayth he the Priest is as the Virgin that bare him the Altar is the manger the little Emmanuell which hee beareth is Christ brought
An ANSWER To a Popish Pamphlet called The TOUCH-STONE of the Reformed Gospell made speciallie out of themselves MATH 15 13. Everie Plant which my heavenlie Father hath not planted shall be rooted up By WILLIAM GUILD D. D. and Preacher of GODS WORD ABERDENE Printed by IAMES BROWN 1656 To the Right Honourable SIR Thomas Mudie PROVESâ— of DUNDIE Iohn Scrimgeor William Duncan Alexander Watson and David Yeoman Baylies AND To the Remnant of the Honourable COUNCELL of that Burgh Grace and peace Right Honourable THe sedulitie of that Apostatick Church of Rome who like these Locusts Revel 9. swarme everie wher in our Countrey and neighbour Nation like Pharisees of old to make proselyts to themselves and misleade simple soules should move the Ministers of Christ and Sions Watch-men to be ashamed to be lesse diligent in a better cause and for a better Master These are dispersing their popish Pamphlets and everie where and everie way sowing secretlie and subdolouslie their pople and Tares in the Lords Field to seduce And should not wee then be much more seduloâ—s and solicitous every way by word and write to discover their fraud to arme against Errour and labour to reduce The conscience of which dutie for my part hath moved me to answere a late Pamphlet called The Touch-stone of the reformed Gospell Which is in everie Papists hands and almost whereof they vainly brag as being unanswerable which answer I have framed with as great brevitie perspicuitie as I could and the better to stop the adversaries mouthes detect their Wresting of Scripture as PETER speaketh 2. Pet. 3. 16. to their owne destruction I have answered such scripturall places as hee objecteth against us either by the exposition of Fathers for most part orelse of their own Doctours Neither of which without impudence they can reject and so cannot alleadge as he doeth in his Preface That wee chop and change the Text of Scripture by some interpretation or other of our owne These paines then which I have beene pressed by sundry Reverend Brethren and others for the publick good to put to the Press I haue Right Honourable Dedicate to you as a Testimonie of my inteere affection both to your selves personally whose kindnesse and courtesie to my self I have ever at all occasions found as also to that Place wherein you governe in regard of my relation therto which moved me as I did Dedicate the first Fruits of my Studies in my youth long agoe to the Magistracie and Councill of Aberdene the place of my owne Birth and breeding so now to Dedicate the latter and ryper Fruits of my old Age to the Magistracie and Councill of the Birth-place and breeding of my deceased Father of Godlie Memorie For whose care of my Education in Letters as I did owe him all filiall dutie and gratitude while he lived so do I still in Remembrance of him carry all affectionat respect to that place where he had his first being and upbringing and whose prosperitie I shall ever heartlie wish and that the Lord who hath showne it hard things that it might have said call me Marah may so sanctifie to it that sad visitation and prosper that Place hereafter that it may bee Naomi or as the Prophet speakes Isai 61. 3. He may give it Beautie for Ashes the oyle of ioy for mourning and the garment of prayse for the spirit of heaviness Which shal be the heartie prayer of Your most affectionat in Christ to honour serve you WILLIAM GUILD To the Reader Courteous Reader IN answering this TOUCH-STON of the reformed Gospell I thought good to advertise thee of some things First That the Impudencie and malice of this Pamphleter beside his Ignorance is such that to make the Protestant profession the more odious to his Proselyts hee would charge our Profession with such Doctrines and Tenets which we never taught nor owned So that whil he fights against such he beats the wind and fights onelie with his owne shaddow A few Instances in place of many are these First § 5. That we say That a man by his own private spirit may rightly judge and interpret Scripture Next § 6. That PETERS Fayth failled 3. § 9. That the Church was not ever to remaine Catholick 4. § 10. That the Churches unitie is not necessary in all points of Fayth 5. § 17. That the actions and sufferings of the Saynts serve for nothing to the Church 6. § 21. That good works are not necessary to Salvation 7. § 29. That Angels cannot help us 8. § 39. That the bread in the Supper of the LORD is but a figure 9. § 45. That Fasting is nos grounded on Scripture nor causeth any spirituall good Thus heseeks not only unnecessarlie to multiply feigned Controversies to deceive the simple but also to make our Profession the more odious to such as will beleeve him imitating herin Satan who by like lyeing would made God odious to our first Parents 2 As if to name onelie and by a false Master to multiplie the citations of Scripture Fathers were enough without the setting down the words of either he laboureth to seduce simple soules and make them beleeve that both Scriptures and Fathers were on their side onlie whil as these who are judicious and impartiall may see that if the maine places of Scripture and Fathers whose words he sets downe be proven in this my ensueing Answere to be either altogether impertinent and wrested or to make against himself Then much more may any judge the like of such places as he only pointeth at but neither seteth downe nor dare set downe their words Wherefore 1. As for his references to places of Scripture First They are such that if I should particularly discuss their impertinencie not only should his grosse ignorace and deceat be seen the more which is clearly enough discovered I hope by my answer to such places whose words he sets downe but my Answere should also grow to a hudge volume wheras I strive to as great brevitie with perspicuitie as I can and that to make my Answere onely to bee a pocket and portable Book 2. His references for ostentation onely and delusion of the simple are so numerous as Pag. 20. for the Churches infallibilitie where hee bringeth but foure places of Scripture whose words he sets down he maketh reference to 22. places most impertineÌ„t wrested Like wise pag. 59 To prove good works to be meritorious he bringeth but four places of Scripture in likemanner but relats to 21. more which aâ— to no such purpose the like he does p. 27. 51. 54. 63. 67. 72. elswher Next as for his references to the testimonies of Fathers mentioning oftimes neither Book Chapter noâ— words It wer an infinitly laborious task to answere a man knoweth not what and would likewise accrease to a voluminous bulk especiallie seing either ignorantlie or I may justlie fay deceatfully and impudentlie hee citeth places in Fathers 1. whom themselves rejects as spurious and
call the righteous but sinners to Repentance these words to repentance are taken out which show the end of Christs comming and calling of sinners I might instance many more places as Ioh. 5. 16. 1. Cor. 15. 54 where a whole sentence is rased out but these shall 4. VVhich is grossest of all I shal instance where their Translation is directlie contrarie and contradictory to the Originall as 1. Gen 49. 24. it is said concerning IOSEPH The armes of his hands were made strong but in their vulgar Translation the words are The armes of his hands were made weake Next IOSUA 5. 6. it is said Vnto whom the LORD did sweare that hee would not showe them the Land but in their Translation it is quyte contrar That he would show them the Land Againe IOSUA 11. 19. it is said There was not a Citie that made peace with the Children of Israel saue the Hivits but in their Translation is said the contrar Ther was no City which did not render or make peace Likewise Psal 68. 22. it is said I will bring my people again from the deepes of the sea but the coÌ„trar is in their Translation saying I will bring my people downe to the deepths of the sea In likemanner in the new Testament 1. Cor. 15. 51. it is said Wee shall not all sleepe but wee shall all bee changed but in their Translation it is thus Wee shall indeed all rise againe but wee shall not all bee changed Where we see gross alteration aswell as contradiction And againe verse 55. where it is said O Death where is thy sting O graue where is thy victory Wee see againe in their Translation grosse alteration the words being these Death where is thy victory Death wher is thysting no word of the graue at all The like of which grosse corruptions adding to Gods Word taking from it and contradicting the same I defie al the Iesults Priests and papists in the World to challenge in our Translations Yea the more yet to convince this Pamphleter and all Romanists whatsoever concerning the viâ—iositie of their vulgar Translation as is said Deut. 32. 31. Even our Enemies being Judges I shall instance onely two or three examples in place of many wherein themselves in their English Rhemes Translation of the new Testament are forced to aknowledge the vitiositie of their vulgar latine by departing therefra and translating these places just as we do as 1. whereas Ioh. 12. 35. in their vulgar latine the words are adhuc modicum lumen in vobis est that is Yet a little whyle the light is in you the Rhemists themselves translate it thus as wee do and according to the Originall Yet a little while the light is with you Next Rom. 12. 19. whereas in the vulgare latine it is Non vosipsos defendentes that is not defending your selves against reason and scripture forbidding lawfull defence the Rhemists translate as wee do Not revenging your selves Again 1. Cor. 15. 34. whereas in the vulgare latine it is ad reverentiam vobis loquor that is I speake it to yoür reverence or honour the Rhemists translate as wee do according to the Original I speake to your shame The next thing to which in his Preface I am to answere is concerning the sense and meaning of the places of Scripture contraverted which hee sayeth is The ever constant and uniforme judgement of the Church and ancient Fathers who in every age since CHRIST haue understood the point in question in that sense sayeth hee which Catholicks now do Conforme therfore to these his words let us put to this Touch-stone which hee calleth the Rule of fayth some chiefe poynts of Poperie and see whether they agree with Scripture as the same is expounded by the whole stream of the ancient fathers in the primitive Church who haue written thereon or if they disagree not as farre therefra as Light doth from darknesse As. 1. To beginne with the mayne point of Poperie The Popes supremacie which the Pamphleter sayeth is grounded on Math. 16. 18. Thou art Peter and upon this rock wâ—ll I build my Church understanding Peter to be this rock wherof Christ speaketh and yet by the constant and unanimous judgement of the ancient Fathers Church in their time that Text importeth no such papall supremacie nor that by that rock Peter is understood but either CHRIST himself or that fayth of CHRIST wherof Peter made confession As 1. All the greeke Fathers and the Easterne or greeke Church who oppose papall supremacie even unto this day and in particulare to speake bâ—â—h of greek and latine Fathers Origen Tract 1. in Math. 16 Chrisostome Tom. 3. serm de pentecoste Isidorus Pelusiota his disciple lib. 5. Epist 55. Theophylact in Math. 16. Augustin Tract 10. in 1. Epist Johannis Tract 124. in Johan Cyprian de unitate Ecclesiae Ambrose in Epist ad Ephes cap. 2. Hilare lib. 6. de de Trinit and Pope Gregory himself Moral in Job lib. 28. cap. 8. and many more which consent of Fathers made Cardinall Cusanus to say de concord Cathol lib. 2. c. 13. altho it was said to Peter Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church yet by this rock sayth he we understand CHRIST himself whom he confesseth if Peter were to be understood by this rock as a ground-stone of the Church according to S. Ierome are not sayth he the rest of the Apostles ground-stones of the Church inlikemanner of whom it is spoken in the Revelation Wher by the Twelve stones of the foundation of that Citie Jernsalem which is the holy Church no man doubteth sayth he but all the Apostle are to be understood And therfore sayth that same Cardinall wee know that Peter received no more power from Christ than the other Apostles but were the self same that Peter was sayeth Cyprian de Uni eccles indued with a-lyke fellowship â—oth of honour and power And not only doth the forenamed fathers expound that place of Mathew as is said severally but the whole Fathers coÌ„veened in famous generall eâ—umenicall Councels haue decreed against any such Papall supremacie which Romanists would prove by that wrested place of Scripture as 1. That first and famous Councell of Nice anno 325. of 318. Bishops in the 6. Cannon thereof 2. The Councell of Constantinople anno 380. of 150. Bishops Can. 5. which as Bellarmin confesseth pref de Rom. pont withstood altogether any such suptemacie 3. The Councell of Ephesus anno 434. of 200. Bishops cap. 4. and the last is the 4. Councel of Chalcedon anno 454. of 430. Bishops which decreed peremptorly Act. 16. against any such supremacie as Bellvrmin grants in in his preface forenamed but non sine fraude or not without deceat sayeth hee such is popish pretended reverence of Antiquitie when it maketh against them And yet the present Roman Church doeth so farre disagree froÌ„ this exposition of Scripture which they pretend for papall supremacie and from
doctrin but let us staÌ„d to the decisioÌ„ of divine inspyred scripture Yet to convince him I will instance 9. points of popery to show how farr they reject the Churches ancient customes as 1. Against the Popes universall Supremacy in matters ecclesiastical that first and famous Councell of Nice convocat by Constantine the first ChristiaÌ„ Emperour anno 325. in the six canon thereof it was decreed That the Bishope of AlexaÌ„dria should brook the like jurisdiction within his province as the Bishope of Rome had in his which limitatioÌ„ of every ones jurisdiction within their own precincts without subordination is ther called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the ancieÌ„t customs froÌ„ which ancieÌ„t custome coÌ„firmed by so famous a general CouÌ„cel how far the pope hath swerved since let any one judge 2. For the Popes usurpation of jurisdiction over Princes in temporall thinges what was the old custome of the Bishops of Rome Bellarmin telleth us lib. 1. de Concil cap. 13. who speaking of that time which was many houndrehs of years after the Apostles sayth That at that time the Bishope of Rome in temporall things was subject to the Emperour sayeth hee and because hee acknowledged the Emperour to be his temporall Lord therefore he made supplication to him that he would conveene a Councell but therafter their owne charter monck authour of Fasciculus temporum telleth us That in the time of Boniface the 2. this ancient custome was rejected for remarke sayth he that about this time the Popes began to oppose theÌ„selves to the Emperors even in temporall things farr otherwise theÌ„ they wer wont of old And after the 1200 year of god the same authour tells us That Boniface the 8. rose up to that hight of pride sayeth hee that he called himself Lord of the whol world aswel in temporall as in spirituall things Which thing their Sigebert in anno 1088. in his Chronicle calleth not onelie a noveltie but little farre from Heresie 3. For praiers in an unknown tongue LYRA and AQUINAS on 1. Cor. 14. as also Cassander consult arâ— 14 freely acknowledge what was the ancient custome of the primitive Church saying In the primitive church Thanks givings and all other coÌ„mon service was performed in the vulgare tongue but how farre the Roman Church hath swerved froÌ„ this now every one knoweth 4. If wee ask also concerning paepall indulgences depending on purgatorie what was the ancient custome their owne Alfonsus à castro will tell us lib. 8. adv Heres tit indulgentia That their use is onelie of late in the Church sayeth hee if wee ask what was the ancient custome then used of indulgences lar will tell us lib. 1. de indulg c. 8. saying I confesse that the forme of dispensing with a number of years or dayes appointed for pennance which was of old in use is now cleane left off 5. Concerning invocation of saints Their owne Eckius in his Enchrid cap. 15. confesseth That there is no warrant for the same in the scriptures and that the Apostles neither by word nor write left any such thing behind theÌ„ to be done so that it was not the Churches custome in the Apostles times But next to the Apostles tymes if we ask what was the ancient custome of the church herin Augustin wil tell us lib. 21 de civit Dei cap. 10 That at the celebration of the holie Mysteries the names of the Martyrs and saints in their owne order place are named but nowise invocated sayth he 6. For having Images in Churches what was the ancient custome is to be seene in that epistle of Epiphaniê° to the patriarch of Ierusalem translated by Ierome and insert in his works where it is said that this was against the custome of Christian religion and therefore prohibited also in that famous Councell of Eliberis 36. canon thereof which made their owne Nicolaus Clemangis lib. de non celeb non instit to say Of old the whole universall Church did decree for their cause who were converted from gentilsme to the faith that no images should be set up in Churches but how farre the now Roman Church hath swerved froÌ„ this Ancient Custome everie one knoweth 7. Concerning adoration of images what was the ancient custome in the primitive yea in the westerne and Roman Church Pope Gregorie in his Epistle to Serenus Bishope of Marsils showeth lib. 9. epistle 9. forbidding any adoratioÌ„ of such As also that decree of that Councel of Frankford convocat by Charles the great at which the Legats of the Bishope of Rome were present Wherein all sort of religious adoration of images was condemned and forbiddeÌ„ as not onlie contrary to Scripture but also to the doctrine of the ancient Fathers and custome of the then Roman Church as Cassander relateth consult art 21. and may be seene in Baronius his annals Tom. 9. in anno 794 but how farre contrary to this ancient custome the doctrine and practise of the Roman Church now is is notour to all 8. Concerning the giving of the Cup to the people what was the ancient custome of the Church the verie Act of the Councell of Constance which decreed the contrary doth clearelie confesse to wit That as Christ instituted this venerable sacrament in both kinds of bread wine and gaue it to his Disciples so also say they in the primitive Church the same was received by the faithfull in both kinds and it is sufficiently certaine sayeth their Cassander consult art 22. that the universall Church of Christ to this day did celebráte the sacrament in both kinds and the Westerne or Roman Church more then a thousand years after CHRIST sayeth hee gaue the same in both kinds of bread wine to all the members of the Church of Christ as is manifest out of the innumerable testimonies both of Greeke latine Fathers But how farre the now Roman Church hath swerved froÌ„ this ancieÌ„t custom and her owne ancient practise is likewise more thaÌ„ clear evident 9. lastly Concerning their solitary Masses wherein the Priest onlie communicateth if we ask if this was the Ancient Custome of the Church their very canon of the Masse will tell us the contrary as their Cassander observeth consuit art 24. wherein the Priest praieth not only for himself but also for all theÌ„ who do communicate with him saying Be mercifull to as many of us as baue beene partakers of this Altar And chieflie in his prayer after communicating saying That which wee have receaved with our mouth grant Lord that we may haue received the same with a pure mynd And of a temporall benefite it may bee unto us an everlasting remedie Thus in nine maine points of Popery we see how they haue swerved wyde from the ancient custome of the Catholick Church 5. THat a man by his owne private spirit may rightly understand and interpret Scripture VVHich he sayeth is contrary to 1. Cor. 11. 8. Wher the Apostle speaking of the diversitie of gifts sayeth That to
Isai 59. 21 that sayeth As for me this is my Covenant with them sayth the Lord my spirit that is upon thee and my words which I haue put in thy mouth shal not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy seeâ—s-seed from hence forth and for ever according to Hugo Cardinalis That these words are spoken to Christ by the Father as Turrecremata also speaketh promising that God should so assist his Church and the Elect therin which are this seed spoken of even to the end of the World that there should ever be some that should hold the true profession of faith Which answere serveth also for Ioh 14. 16. 17. where Christ promiseth to his Apostles the Comforter who is the Spirit of truth whom the World cannot receive because they are not Elect and who should dwell in them and be in them as he is onelie in the Elect likewise The third place is Math. 18. 17. And if he neglect to heare the Church let him be to thee as a Heathen publican To which I answere that this place speaketh onelie of a particulare Church Which Papists granteth may erre as also relateth onelie to discipline and Church censures not to doctrine or determination in matters of faith but of fact and scandale The fourth place is Ephes 5. 27. where it is said That he might present to himself a glorious Church without spot or wrinckle Whereunto I answere That their late Estius out of Augustin showeth that the Apostle speaketh not of thâ— Church Militant but Triumphant and as shee shall be after the blessed Resurrection and this is also the exposition of Ierome lib. 3. dial cont Pelag. as also of Primasius Thomas sayeth hee As for the Fathers whom he only citeth but not their words never one of them in these places doeth prove his point But before I leave this point of the Popes infallâ—bilitie into which the Churches at last doth resolve I will insist heerein a little more seing it concerneth the whole Fabrick of poperie and is the basis whereon it standeth being that rock whereon the Church is built as Bellarmin teacheth lib. 4. de pont cap. 2. 3. And will batter the same with four arguments furnished by theÌ„selves unto us Wherof the First is That this very question it self amongst Romanists Whether the Pope may be deposed for heresie presupposeth that he may be an Heretick and that he may be deposed for heresie Bellarmin granteth lib. 2. de pont cap. 30. § 5. saying Wee cannot deny but that Pope Adrian with his Councell at Rome yea with the whole eight generall Councell thought that the Pope for Heresie might bee judged adde this also that the estate of the Church sayeth he should be miserable if it should be forced to acknowledge him for their Pastour who were a ravening Wolfe 2. Howsoever it is now the most coÌ„mon opinion that the pope cannot erre yet it is confessed that many Roman Catholick Doctours of great note do maintayne the contrary to wit that hee may erre not only personallie but also as Pope and judiciallie which as Bellarmin confesseth lib. 4. de pont cap. 2. was not onely the opinion of Nilus Gerson Almain and the Doctours of Paris but also of Pope Adrian the 6. Alfonsus à Castro To whom hee might haue added the Councels of Constance and Basil also Ockam Michael Cesenas Cardinall Cameracensis and Cusanus Waldensis Picus Mirandula Lyra Canus Erasmus their late Stella with all others who mantaine that the Councell is above the Pope These two assertions then being directlie contradictorie that the Pope cannot erre that the Pope even as Pope may erre and this last being maintayned by famous Doctours and Councels of the Romaâ— Church as said is wee may not onlie see what ther bragged of unitie is but also that papists haue no sure ground of their faith at all who build upon the Popes infallibilitie so much controverted amongst themselves and as yet in question 3. It is manifest that the Popes haue foullie erred de facto been Hereticks therefore it followeth that they may erre and so are not infallible And that they haue erred and beene Hereticks is witnessed by most famous Romanists for it is manifest sayth Alfonsus à Castro lib. 1. cont heres cap. 4. That Pope Liberius was an Arrian Anastasius the second a Nestorian so likewise doth Canus testifie Loc. Theol. lib. 6. cap. 8. that Honorius was a Monothelite and by the sixth and seventh generall Councels coÌ„demned as an Hereticks and their late Didacus Stella on Luke 22. 30. showeth that manie Popes have beene grosse Hereticks and Idolaters as Marcellinus sayeth he who sacrificed to Idols Liberius who was an Arrian as Platina and Bellarmin also witnesseth lib. 4. de pont cap. 9 and Anastasius the 2. who for the crime of Heresie sayeth hee was rejected of the Church and manie others who persisted not in the Catholike faith but were against the same Wherefore sayeth their owne Lyra on Math. 16. It is evident that the Churches stabilitie consisteth not on men either in regard of their ecclestiasticall dignitie or secular seing many Princes and Popes too haue beene found to haue made Apostafie from the faith 4. Out of their owne grounds I argue against the Popes infallibilitie thus 1. If he haue any such infallibiliitie he hath it as he is Bishope of Rome and consequentlie Peters alleadged successour 2. He cannot be Bishope of Rome but he must be in holie orders 3. He can not receive orders which papists call a sacrament but from him who hath power to ordain or giue orders upon which grounds that are granted I reason thus in respect That the validitie of a sacrament dependeth upon the intention of the giver as Bellar. teacheth lib. 3. de justifi cap. 8. Which none can know but the giver Therefore none can know that this Pope or any other is or hath beene infallible because he cannot be so except he be in holy orders from one that had power to give them and that hee that had that power had also an intention to give theÌ„ whose intention sayth Bellar. none can knowe and consequentlie à primo ad ultimum none can know whether such a Pope be trulie Pope or no by a second consequence whether he be infallible or no according to the pretended priviledge as he is Peters successour And so upoÌ„ what an unsure sandie foundation papists build their faith and consequentlie their salvation let anie man judge But I cannot admire enough Bellarmins impudency that sayeth lib. 4. de pont cap. 2. That all Catholicks agree in this that if the Pope alone or with a particular Councell decerne in any thing that is doubtfull whether he erre or not yet hee is obedientlie to be heard by all the faithfull sayeth hee 8. THat the Church hath been hidden and invisible FOr stating this question aright we say not that
the Church professing the Christian name in common hath ben at anytime invisible but in it wee say that the true and sincere professours may be some times brought to that estate as the 7000. were in Israell who bowed not to Baal and as the sound and persecuted Orthodox Christians were by that prevalent faction of Arrians who then usurped the title of the onely true Church altho they were onely but a prevailling faction therein But this Pamphleter contendeth for a constant and conspicuous visibilitie to all of the Church of true and â—ound professours like a Citie on a hill c. by these Texts following 1. Math. 5. 14. Where our Saviour compareth his disciples to a Citie on a hill c. To whom I answere shortly that this is meaned of the Apostles who as their own Jansenius as also Maldonat expoundeth were a light to the World by their preaching and holie life Therefore sayeth Maldonat That by these three similituds of salt a light and a citie our Saviour would declare one and the same thing to wit how farre beyond other common Christians his Apostles and their successours should eminentlie shyne in life and doctrine and so doeth Chrisostome Theophylact Lyra Ferus and Carthusian expound this Text and not of any constant conspicuous visibilitie of the Church to all The second place which he bringeth is Math. 18. 17. tell the Church to which I answere that Origen Chrisostom and Hilarie on this place showeth that a particulare Church and the Rulers therof are meaned as hath beene said which is indeed visible to it owne members speciallie in tyme of peace whereas in time of persecution the Rhemists themselves on 2. Thess 2. telleth us That this is like to be the case of the RomaÌ„ Church it self under Antichrist that the faithfull shall lurke and haue their communion amongst themselves onlie in private so to have no conspicuous visibilitie to all whence it followeth that what may bee the case of the Church at one time the same may be or hath been the case of the Church at another The third place is 2. Cor. 4. 3. which sayeth If our Gospell be hid it is to them that are lost To which I answere that there is no word heere of a Church or of persons but of the gospell it self which being preached to any if it be not believed is said to be hid from misbelievers as is said in the words following Whose minds the god of this world hath blinded that they should not belieâ—e as the Lord threatneth Isai 6. 9. which is the exposition both of Aquinas Cardinall Cajetan and their Bishope Catharinus with their late Estius The last place which he bringes is Isai 2. 2. where it is said That in the last days the mountain of the Lords house shall be established in the top of the mountains and exalted above the hills and all nations shall flow unto it To which I answere that this is a Prophecie onlie of the calling of the gentiles to the faith of the gospell by the Ministrie of the Apostles and showeth how firmlie the Christian Church should be built and bee of greater eminencie and amplitude beyond the jewish church in respect also of universalitie clearer light and dispensation of grace which is the exposition of their owne Lyra Procopius Pintus and Perusin on this place And not that they prove ther by a constant and conspicuous visibilitie of the Church to all As for the testimonies of Fathers which he adduceth they nowise prove the point the first whereof is Origens saying That the Church is full of light which showeth only that as shee is described Revel 12. 1. shee is glorious by the light of the trueth which shee holdeth forth in profession and therefore he subjoyneth this reason seing shee is the pillar and ground of truth sayeth hee 2 Hee bringeth a testimonie of Chrisostome where it is said That it is easier for the sunne to be extinguished then for the Church to be darkned which testimonie receiveth the same answer with the former For no more can the Church lose the light of the trueth than the sunne can lose his light though somtimes he may be eclipsed or by a thick mist or cloudie day he may be unseene to some 3. Hee bringeth a testimonie out of Augustin who sayeth That hee is blind that seeth not so great a mountain To which I answere that hee speaketh not there of a constant and conspicuous visibilitie of the true Church to all and at all times but onelie of the visible condition of the Church which was at that time disputing against the Donatists who affirmed that the Church was no where but amongst them in Africa whereas on the contrarie hee sayeth that in Europe and elswhere they may see famous and flowrishing Christian Churches like to a mountaine that may bee seene except they were blind and yet wee knowe that a mountaine that may be seen to all that are not blind in a cleare day may in a dark night time or darke mistie day be unseene till the sunne rise or a clearing of the mist be Therefore sayeth the same Augustin de unitate Ecclesiae cap. 20. in psal 10. and epist 80 ad Hesychium Some times the Church is not apparent when wicked persecutors rage against her againe in his sixth book of baptisme against the Donatists cap. 4. Somtimes like the Moone sayeth he shee may bee so hid and obscured that as in Elias time the members therof shall not know one of another 9 THat the Church was not ever to remaine Catholick or universall And that the Church of Rome is not such a Church THe first part of which Assertion wee disclaime as a most unjust aspersion as the harmony of confessions showeth and ours in particulare 1581. art 17. And as to the last That the Church of Rome is not universall we justlie affirme seing it is a plaine repugnancie in the adject as we say to be particulare or Roman to be Catholick or universall as their owne Cassander contradistinguisheth betweene these two in his consultation art 22. As for the places which he adduceth out of the psal 2. 8. and Colos 1. 3. 4. they no wise make for him or against us but onlie speaketh of the Churchs inlargemeÌ„t under the Gospell the first by the conversion of the Gentiles to the faith and the second of the Colossians in particular Next hee bringeth Rom. 1. 8 where the Apostle thanketh the Lord for them That their faith was spoken of through the whole World For answere whereunto 1. This no more proveth the Church of Rome to bee universall than the like words of Paull 1. Thess 1. 8 proveth the Church of Thessalonica to be the universall Church For as Rom. 1. 8. it is said That their faith was spoken of through the whol world so is it said 1. Thess 1. 8. That from them sounded out the word of the Lord as also in everie place
also may be said of the nailes which nailed Christ to the Cross which from three ar multiplied to near threescore As also the speare that pierced Christs side to the image wherof they ascrive the opening of heavenâ— gate praying thus to it as if it heard them Ave ferrum triumphale intrans pectus in vitale Coeli pande ostia Than which what can be greater blasphemie idolatrie As for Fathers whom he onlie citeth but sets not down their words never one of theÌ„ proveth any adoratioÌ„ of Reliques yea Ierome epist 53. ad RipariuÌ„ sayeth Wee are so far from worshiping the Reliques of Martyrs that we will not worship the Sunn or moone Angels nor archangels And as for Ambrose his alleaged words which he telleth not wher they are to be found yet I answer to them that they prove nothing for hee sayeth onlie that Hee honours the wounds and ashes of the Martyrs which is only the memorie of their constant sufferings 36 THat the Creatures cannot be sanctified or made more holy than they are alreadie of their own nature VVHich he sayeth is contrarie to 1. Tim. 4. 4. where it is said That everie creature of God is good if it be received with thanksgiving To which I answere 1. That this proveth nothing against us for their owne Estius as also Lombard on this place showeth that the Apostle speaketh onlie of the sanctified use to believers of meate and drink being received with praier and thanksgiving 2 This place maketh rather against poperie to wit their prohibition of certaine sorts of meates at certaine times for conscience sake which is contratie altogether unto Christian libertie As for Math. 23. 17. and 19. Himself confesseth That the Altar is said to sanctifie the gift and the Temple the gold as thinges separate from a coÌ„mon to a holie use aâ— said to be holy by destinatioÌ„ but not by inâ—esion But the hallowing of the creature of which this man meaneth is the popish hallowing of their bells which they also baptise as also of their beads holy water and agnus Dei c. by plaine socerie conjuring the dead senslesse creatures speaking to theÌ„ as if they both heard and understood ascribing to theÌ„ divine miraculous operatioÌ„ one example or two wherof instead of many I shall instance of their conjuring their holie water as is set down in their owne Missall saying I conjure thee thou creature of water in the Name of the Father Sonne and Holie Ghost that thou become a chosen water to take away all the power of the Devill to drive him away with all his wicked angels The like they speake to the salt which they mixe with the water And which doubtles driveth away the Devill from the priests breast that conjureth the same as farre as a hungrie dog would flee from a fatt morsell the sprinkling also of which holie water might haue beene a good meane to haue driven away the devil from pope Sylvester the second when he came to him and rent his bodie in pieces as Platina and all other Roman Historians record And what equal vertue to Christs blood and miraculous operation they ascrive in likemanner to their hallowed Agnus Dei which they carrie about with them may bee seene by these verses which Pope Vrban sent with one of them to the Emperour of Grecia saying Peccatum frangit ut Christi sanguis angit c. and thereafter Portatus mundae de fluctibus eâ—ipit undae which if the Spanish Armado found true in 88. themselves best could tell 37 THat Children may be saved by their parents faith without the sacrament of baptisme VVHich he sayeth is contrarie to Iohn 3. 9. Except a man be borne againe of the water and the spirit he cannot enter into the kingdome of God To which I answer 1. As their owne Ferus expoundeth by this water Baptismall water is not to be understood but metaphoricallie the purging vertue of the spirit of Regeneration sayeth he Therfore also sayeth Lombard lib. 4. d. 4. God hath not tyed his power to sacraments so that the want doth not damnifie but the contempt for that some haue gotten invisible sanctification without the visible sacrament saith he so also speaketh Bellar. lib. 4 de Christo cap. 16. § ad locum and other Romanists with him Wherefore their owne Cassander concludeth consult art 9. saying That it is agreable to the judgement of the primitive Church and to the holy scriptures as Bonaventure on the 4. of the sentences LoÌ„bard dist 4. c. 2. shows that Infants dying without baptisme may be saved for if they cannot get baptisme being prevented by death as the faith of the Church and of these who offer them unto baptisme is reputed as their owne sayeth he so the will and desire of the Church and speciallie of the parents to haue them baptised is accepted for baptisme by that mercifull Father who accepts the will for the deed and tyeth none sayth he to what is impossible nor his own grace simplie to the externall sacrament As Bellarmin also affirmeth lib. 4. de Christo cap. ult § ad locum and who also confesseth lib. 1. de baptis cap. 4. § 5. That sindrie famous divines of the Roman Church as Cajetan and Biel others thoght it disagreable altogether from the mercie of God that infants should perish without their own fault The second place is Tit. 3. 5. wher it is said That according to the mercie of God wee ar saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holie Ghost To which I answere That this place speaketh onlie of the work of Regeneration or renovation as absolutlie necessarie to salvation which somtimes is compared to washing by water as Ezek. 36. 25. and somtimes to purging by fire as Math. 3. 11. And which without baptismall washing the theefe on the Crosse found available to salvation as this text speaketh according to the free mercie of God The third place is Mark 16. 16. He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned To which place Bernard worthilie answereth epist 77. saying Mark when Christ said he that believeth and is baptised shall be saved warilie and well be sayeth not but hee that is not baptised shall be damned but only he that believeth not shall be damned Therefore sayeth their Carthusian on Iohn 3. 5. It is to bee understood that Baptisme is necessarie if oâ—casion serue to receive the sacrament of Baptisme otherwise the baptisme of the spirit sufficeth else the believing Theefe on the Crosse had beene excluded out of Paradise The fourth place is Gen. 17. 4. The uncircumcised child shal be cut off from his people but Circumsion was no more necessarie to the Isralits sayeth he than baptisme is to Christians To whom I answer That it is the contempt of that Sacrament that is meant and not the want therof if occasion served not to receive the same