and supreame commaunding authoritie ouer all other churches parsons and as due and respectiue obedience as now yt doth as these protestants them selues are wittnesses against them selues and by such pretended excuse of reuolt and contempt of superioritie and gouernment and for the inferior subiect guiltie or accused to vsurpe power ouer the Superior and lawfull Iudge all heresies scismes treasons rebellious and disobediences may bee mayntayned and all Regiment and Rulers both spirituall and temporall bee reiected and ouerthrowne And is the like or worse in effect then that which his maiestie speaketh of the presbyteâ—iall discipline in these wordes lacke and â—om and Will and Diâ—k vvill censure the kinge and his Conferenâ—â— aâ—â—ampt pag. 79. counsâ—ll and all their proceedings at their pleasure And from hence alsoe both the second and third propositions are directly proued For by this the second proposition That Catholicks in forsaking communion vvith the church of Rome to communicate vvith english protestants should forsaâ—â— a church by the doctrine of diuers and credible â—uthorities assisted by God from error is euideytlie true for not onelie the present doctors of the present Romane church soe teach but it was soe taught as this protestants assure vs by the learned and holy fathers and popes of that sacred church when by their graunt it vvas in her florishinge and best estate and a rule to all both in doctrine and ceremonies To which I add the testimonie of D. Downame telling vs that in those times Down l. 2. Antichr pag. 107. Ormâ—r hereticks though Bishops recanting did svveare to meyntayne thâ—t faith which the Bishop church of Rome professed M. Ormerod saith S. Leo that glorious Saint doctor did teache that God did assist direct that sea in decrees And to maintaine yt by protestaÌ„ts that this was the coÌ„mon and receaued doctrine of that vnsported time whereas they now tell vs a generall councell is highest iudge D. Powell writeth thus Powell l. 1. Antichrist p. 230. 231. Calixtus Pope in that best time defined that all Bishops though gathered in a generall Councell shall fullfill the will of the church of Rome they which doe not this are pronouÌ„ced of Pope Pelagius to keepe a false Conciliable and not a Councell Pope Damasus vvrote that it is not lavvfull for the Bishops to doe any thinge against the decrees of the Bishops of Rome Where vppon according to this generall and primatiue doctrine by protestants relation their Bishop of Bils true differ pag. 66. 67. Winchester hath written in this maner The Canon of the primatiue churche made euery thinge voide that vvas done vvithout the Bishop of Rome The canon of the primatiue church forbad any Councell to bee called vvithout his consent Therefore D. Feild directeth vs what to doe in Feild pag. 20â— this case in these wordes Wee must obey vvithout scrupulous questioninge vvith all modestie of mynde and reuerence of bodie vvith all good â—llovvance and acceptation and repose in the vvorde of them that teache vs vnles they teache vs any tâ—ings vvâ—ich the authoritie of the higher Suâ—erior controlleth Therefore because thus protestants haue soe confidently assured vs that the Pope and church of Rome is our highest Iudge in authoritie and superioritie in this busines wee must still vvithout scrupulous question vvith all modestâ—ie reuerence good allovvonce acceptation and repose obey them still communicaâ—e with them And forsake all spirituall communion withall protestants and others departed and sepaâ—ated from them And from hence alsoe the third proposition that to adhâ—re to the church of Rome in time of controuersie vvas and is a token or signe of a true catholick is euidently proued An D. Downame graunteth yt to haue beene the opinion of the primatiue fathers S. Augustine and victor vticensis in Afrike vvere of opinion that Down l. 1. Antichrist pag. 106. 105. to adhere to the church of Rome vvas a marke of a true Catholick in those times And that it must soe continue for euer is proued by thes protestants before To which I add this protestant Demonstration followinge Euery forsakinge of Communion and communicating which by protestants Iudgment doth or would make men guiltie of all kinde of spirituall disobedience is to bee auoidâ—d But for Catholicks to forsake communion with the church of Rome and communicate with protestants by their owne doctrine is such therefore to bee auoided The maior proposition is euidently true for seing to bee disobedient in any one spirituall dutie is wicked and abominable much more damnable must it needs bee to bee guiltie of all such synnes The minor proposition is proued by D. Feild and the publick protestant authoritie that gaue priuiledge to his writinge for entreatinge of the diuers and distinct kindes of spirituall Fâ—ild pag. 202. l. 4. cap. 5. obedience hee writeth thus Hither wee may referr those different degrees of obedience which vvee must yeeld to them that commaunde and teache vs in the church of God excellently Waldens doctr fidei l. 2. art 2 3 pag. 27. described by waldensis wee must saith hee reuerence and respect the authoritie of all catholick Doctors whose doctrine and writings tâ—e church allovveth Wee must more regarde the authoritie of catholick Bishops more then thus the authoritie of the Apostolick churches amongst them more especially the church of Rome of a generall councell more then all thes By which doctrine of english protestants it is euident that all men communicating with them in Religion are culpable in all kinde of spirituall disobedience and if the degrees of obedience to commaunders in the church of God bee as thes men assure vs excellently described by Doctors and catholick Bishops vnder the Pope and the Pope is cheefest in thes degrees and as before is proued by them noe councell can bee either generall or allowable without his allowance and approbation by forsakinge communion with the Pope and beinge disobedient vnto him wee should bee guiltie of a spirituall disobedience Therefore when wee are assured by thes men them selues that now wee lyue in all true spirituall obedience and contrary to their commaunding and supreame byndinge instruction noe authoâ—itie on earthe is to bee obeyed in such things but rather to bee obedient and subiect it selfe to them the pretended instruction of protestants to vnlearned catholicks is not to bee termed instruction but destruction and their pesecution against vs for this our soe religious iust deniall to communicate with them in Religion shall bee censured by his maiestie and their Bishopp of Durham and not by mee his maiesties wordes in publick parlament in this question are thus You my Lord of Durham said very learnedly in Serm. An. 1603. 19. of March before the K. Kings speac in parlam 1. Iacob your sermon to day that correction vvithout instruction is but tyrannye And how can England euer an inferior subordinate and dependinge church take vppon yt power to instruct the highest spirituall authoritie
soe by breakinge any of them Scisme is contracted if I shall but onely proue they haue broken this vnitie in one they are proued Scismaticks by their owne proceedings But to proue them to bee in the highest degree of Scisme I will make demonstration that they are guiltie in breakinge all these vnities And first concerninge their first vnitie of subiection to lawfull Pastors I argue thus At the begynning of protestancie either the pastors of the Romane church namely the Pope when they reuolted from him were true pastors or not if they were not then their pretended ordination and Episcopalitie from thence is voyde if they were their true pastors then they are Scismaticks for their reuolt and disobedience vnto him Secondly I proue yt thus euery church not clayminge to bee supreame the superior mother or commaunding church and yett submitting yt selfe and obedient vnto none is scismaticall for not to obey a lawfull superior Pastor is scisme and their Bishop Barlowe hath told vs before that maioritie of Bishops is Barl. serm Sept. 21. 1606. an apostolicall tradition in all the vvorlde enacted for succedinge posteritie a canon or constitution of the vvhole Trinitie Therefore the english protestant church neuer clayminge this maioritie aboue others and yett obstinately repugnant and disobedient to that which euer had this Maioritie which as is proued by them before is the Romane church must needs bee scismaticall Thirdly D. Feild and these his protestants Feild l. 4. â—â— 5 p 202. haue assured vs That amonge those different degrees of obedience which wee must yeeld to them that commaunde and teache vs in the church of God wee must more especially respest the church of Rome then Catholicke Doctors the authoritie of catholicke Bishops or other churches though apoâ—â—olicke Therefore the english protestants soe willfully and maliciously disobedient and contumelious vnto yt are Scismaticks by their owne iudgment Secondly concerning his second vnitie whose breach maketh Scisme and is as hee saith The connexion and Communion vvhich many particular Feild l. 3. pag 70. sup churches and pastors of tâ—â—m haue amongâ— themselues The english protestants haue not communion or connexion with any either true or pretended churche in the worlde in their cheefest poynts of connexion communion or coordination as namely in their pretended Bishops and the manner of making them in Rulinge their congregation in the temporall princes supreamacie c. Therefore by breach of this vnitie alsoe they are Scismaticks by their owne Rule For Confirmation whereof D. Couell setteth downe the doctrine of other protestant churches in these words there is noâ— Couell def of Hook pa. 33. church where the gouernment by elders or presbytery wanteth this being as essentiall as either the Worde or sacraments And the protestant Author of the booke called Suruey writeth thus The Suru of comm B. pag. 24. english churches differ from all other reformed churches That they differ from the Romane and all other churches they willingly acknowledge therefore they are Scismaticks by their owne Censure For here wee see that there is noe true and reall connexion and communion of the english protestant congregation or pretended Pastors Bishops or ministerie with any either true or pretended church catholicke or protestant reformed or not reformed pastors presbyterie or whatsoeuer they will terme them in all the world And by this alsoe it is euident that they are Scismaticks by breakinge the third protestant vnitie In holdinge the same Rule of faith for these english protestants agreing with noe other church true or false in the Rule of faith as before must needs be Scismaticks alsoe by this title And soe moste notorious in this offence of scisme hauinge obstinately dissolued all christian vnities by their owne confession Further I argue thus whosoeuer by mayntayninge their sect or faction in Religion are forced to such absurdities that by the testimonies of their owne Brethren in Religion they make themselues and all of their doctrine to bee Scismaticks are to bee esteemed such But the english protestants are in this case therefore Scismaticks by their owne sentence The maior proposition is euident And the minor alsoe proued by them before and now breefely in this maner The protestant authors of the offer of Conference supposing that the english parlament protestants will defend their proceedings as they doe write in these words They cannot see how possibly by the Rules of diuinitie Offer of Conference pag. 11. tâ—e seperation of our churches from the church of Rome and from the Pope supreame heade thereof can bee iustified Then by their owne Rules before they are scismaticks which the same protestants protest expressely in this maner They protest to all the world that the Pope and the câ—urch of Rome and in them God and Christ sup pag. 16. Iesus himselâ—e haue had greate wronge and indignitie offered vnto them and that all the protestant churches are scismaticâ—ll in â—orsakinge vnitie and communion with them Which is further confirmed by an other of their reformed brethren though writinge somewhat later then my sixe yeares limitation whoe speaketh in this order As wee haue saide vnto you called Brounists soe DeclaratioÌ„ of the misterie of iniquitie An. 1612. pag. 156. wee say to England and to the presbytery holdinge of the Pope and that profession as you doâ— Then haue you of England and all the nations of the earthe synned grâ—ately to seperate from Rome in that you were all of one bodie and members one of an other and being beleâ—uers in Christ Iesus they are your brethren and ought not to seperate from Rome as you haue done If you of England and the presbyterie and you called Brouniâ—â—s did make any conscience to walke by the Rules of Christs â—erein you â—ould not walâ—e towards Rome as you doe Againe I argue in this maner whosoeuer are â—ither by themselues or others that bee in their opinion learned and consenting with them in all essentiall and materiall points condemned and censured to bee Scismaticks are to bee adiudged and auoyded as such in spirituall communications But these english protestants both parlamentaries and puritanes are in this state Therefore to bee as such adiudged and forsaken in Religeous communications The maior is euidently true because to bee in Scisme which excludeth forth of the true church out of which by these protestants before there is noe hope of saluation is a point both materiall and essentiall in Religion The minor proposition is proued by these protestants and puritanes mutually condemning themselues their essentially agreing brethren to bee scismaticks First their late protestant Archbishop of Canterbury D. Bancroft then of London in their publick Conference before the kinge calleth them scismaticks yt is thus recorded for action by their Bishop Barlowe in these wordes CoÌ„fereÌ„ce at Hampton Court p. 26. The Bishop of London kneelinge downe moste humbly desired his maiestie that the auntient Canon might bee remembred which saith that
dostrine as hee propouâ—ded them and M. Foxe maintaineth them Some of them as they were propounded by Tyndall Foxe to 2. mon. in Tyndall first edition and maintayned by Foxe doe followe in these words The lawe maketh vs to hate God It is vnpossible for vs to consent to the will of God The lawe requireth vnpossible thinges of vs. Speaking of maÌ„ he speaketh thus Christ is in thee thou in him knitt together vnseperably neither cast thou bee daÌ„ned except Christ be daÌ„ned with thee neither can Christ bee saued except thou bee saued with him Euery man is Lord of other mens goods I am bounde to loue the Turke with all my might and power yea and aboue my power There is noe worke better then an other to please God to make water to was he dishes to bee a Sowter or an Apostle all is one to washe dishes and to preache is all one touching the deed to please God To worshipp God otherwise then to beleeue that hee is Iust and true in his promises is to make God an I dâ—ll God moued the hartes of the Egiptians to hate the people likewise hee moued kings Paule was of higher Authoritie then Peter Yf S. Paule were alyue I would compare my selfe to S. Paule and bee as good as hee The children of faithe are vnder noe lawe God bindeth vs to that which is vnpossible for vs to accomplishe synne cannot condemne vs. Soe longe as the Successors of the Apostles were persecuted and martyred there were good christian men and noe longer All these and other such damnable positions are mayntayned in one place of this protestant Doctors booke dedicated to his maiestie appoynted to bee written by their Archbishop D. Bancroft and published with common priuiledge Wherevppon and from such like proceedings the protestant Author of the booke named Aduertisement speaking of the errors of this their english protestant Religion writeth thus Millions of millions runne to eternall flames Christianitie is denyed in England by Aduertisemâ—â—t An. 1604. publicke Authoritie Of other their heresies hellish errors and damnable deuises against the authoritie Regâ—ll and cyuill power of Princes and such morall affaires I will entreate hereafter in the meane time I add these protestant positions registred by M. Ormerod in these Ormerod dial 1. wordes All synnes are equall it is as greate a synne to doe any seruile worke vppon the sabboth day as to doe murther and committ adultery it is as greate a synne to throwe a boulâ— on the sabboath day as to kill a man It is as greate a syn to kill a mans cocke as to kill his Seruant Their Bishop of Winchester D. Bilson setteth BilsoÌ„ Suru pag. 467. downe other their straunge errors in this maner the protestants cleare not Christ from synne it was rife in the pulpitts and vsuall in Catechismes that the death of Christ Iesus on the Bils prâ—f sup crosse and his blood shâ—dd for the remission of our syns were the leaste cause and meane of our Redemption And reciting further these protestants p. 466. 474. def pag. 126 122. Bilson sup pa. 490 def p. 134. Bils p. 496. 486. def pa. 131. 136 Bils p. 497. 503. def pa. 137. 138. Bils p. 515. def pa. 141. Bils p. 517. def pag. 142. Parkes epis dedicat pag. 139. sect 20. Povvell l. de diaphor ep dâ—â—icat Parkes apol epist. dedic doctrines thus relateth them Christs will was contrary to Gods will Christ in his agonie knevv not Gods will Christ was forsaken both in bodie soule Christ suffered hell Torments Christ suffered the paynes of hell Christ suffered the death of the soule the death of the soule is such paynes and sufferings of Gods wrathe as allwayes accompanie them that are seperated from the grace and loue of God God did forsake Christ Thus our most blessed Sauiour Redeemer of mankinde consequently both Christians and all mankinde is damned with him by these blasphemous protestaÌ„ts M. Parkes hath told vs that the parson of Christ is prophanely irreligeously spoken of the scripture is falsefyed to fasteÌ„ blasphemie vpon Christ heauen hell the diuinity humanity yea the verie soule and saluation of Christ our Sauiour himselfe is called in questioÌ„ M. Powell hath published with publicke allowaÌ„ce in his booke printed by Robert Barker the kings printer this doctrine To holde that Christ was a lawe maker is an insolent pseudographema false scripture M. Parkes againe complaineth thus The Creede it selfe which hath allwayes beene the verie badge and Cognizance vvhereby to discerne and know the faithfull from vnbeleeuers Christians from heathens and Catholicks from hereticks is the mayne point in questioÌ„ Which is coÌ„firmed by their Bishop Barlowe in his sermon before the kinge Barl â—erm septem 21 An 1606. in these wordes The whelps of those beasts are multiplied vvith vs in England of which S. Paule speaketh 1. Cor. 15. 32. vvhich made a lest of the soules immortalitiâ— and the bodies resurrestion Therefore seing these bee the moste materiall D. George Abb. against D. Hill p. 101. essentiall and fundamentall points in Religion and their present protestant Archbishop hath peremptorily told vs. protestants and puritanes did neuer differ in any point of substance wee all ioyne in all materiall points of saluation and noe Goliath against vs can proue the contrary And Povvell ag epis apol pag. 52. M. Powell saith Hee lyeth which saith they differ in substantiall points they are all guiltie of these heresies The 7. particular protestant demonstration for Catholicks iust recusancie is Because English protestants by their owne writings are Scismaticks FVRTHER that these english protestants are Scismaticks and soe by that title alsoe not to bee communicated with in spirituall things is manifest by that which is written before and more directly in this order followinge Noe Scismaticks are to bee communicated with in Religeous matters But the protestants of England by their owne testimonies are Scismaticks Therefore not to bee communicated with in such busines The maior proposition is euidently true and before graunted by these protestans for this time I will therefore onely cite their Bishop of Peterborough D. Doue his words bee these This proposition noe hereticks nor Scismaticks are to bee communicated Doue persuas pag. withall is vndoubtedly true because it is grounded vppon scripture c. The minor proposition that english protestants bee Scismaticks is proued by this their owne definition of Scisme published by D. Feild in this maner Scisme is a Feild l. 3. c. 5. pa. 70. breache of the vnitie of the churche the vnitie of the church consisteth in three things First the subiection of the people to their lawfull pastors Secondly the connexion and communion wich many particular churches and the pastors of them haue amonge themselues Thirdly in holdinge the same Rule of faith Then if Scisme is a breache of the vnitie of the church and this vnitie consisteth in three things and
ministery wee are all one wee are all of one faithe VVee are ministers of the worde by one order wee preache one faith and substance of doctrine Then which nothing was euer more truly said or written Willet Antilog pag. 15. 20. Your greate Controuertist D. Willet writeth thus amonge protestants of â—ngland there is noe difference or dissâ—nt in any substantiall point of faith As for puritans and Caluinio-papists they are termes of papists deuisinge D. Georgâ— Abb. sup pa. 90. 106. 236. 237. Povvell sup pag. 48. 52 Your present protestant Archbishop of Canterbury is soe confident herein that hee vseth thes wordes Noe Goliath against vs can proue the contrary D. Powell with publicke approbation hath thes wordes Noe reformer euer distinguished betweene protestants and them of the reformed church The puritans doe not affirme the diuision betweene protestants and them to bee in substantiall points non but papists affirme that protestants and puritans differ in substantiall points of faith and hee lyeth which saith they differ in substantiall poyntes Like are the testimonies of others But thes are fullie sufficient in this place Therefore seeing I am to alleadge onelie causes and reasons essentiall and substantiall in Religion from thes your english protestant Bishops and doctors why their countrie Catholicks may not by their owne doctrines and proceedings communicate with them in matters of Religion It is euident that noe english protestant or puritane may or in conscience ought to denie any such authoritie to bee cited in this treatise or any conclusion truelie and scientificallie deduced from such their allowed principles for in soe doeinge by their generall graunt before hee should become a papist and a recusant to communicate with protestants or a blasphemous Goliah vncircumcised philistine or a lyer by their owne censure and Iudgment which would bee new and vrgent causes to auoide all spirituall communion with such men Wherevppon presuminge that noe aduersarie will soe muche disable my studyes in diuinitie and artes subordinate vnto yt But that I am able from graunted and allowed principles to deduce necessarie and vndemiable Conclusions I therefore doe confidentlie name this worke A booke of english protestants Demonstrations for English Catholicks recusancie Because the moste iust causes of Catholicks refusall to communicate with protestanâ—s in Religion are euidentlie proued by those protestants them selues in this Treatise And soe in all obedient and humble manner I take my leaue I rest and hope to continue for euer in all dutifull and beseeminge obedience and loue to our moste blessed Sauiour his Holie church and Religion his maiestie my dearest countrie and your Lordships the moste honorable portion thereof as I haue before professed and obliged myselfe by attestation and bonde vnuiolable PROTESTANTS DEMONSTRATIONS FOR CATHOLICKS RECVSANCIE The first particular protestant Demonstration why english Catholicks may not communicate in spirituall thinges with protestants is because by their owne testimonies yt would bee an act and offence vnreasonable irreligious and damnable THAT it is not lawfull for any Catholicke or member of the Romane church to communicate in Religion and spirituall thinges with the protestants of England I demonstrate by their owne testimonies And first argue thus Noe professors of Religion may lawfully and with securitie forsake that church and communion in which by the testimonie of aduersaries themselues there is saluation and many haue beene by that profession glorious Saints to communicate with a new Religion whereof there is noe such hope or certaine expectation But the state of Catholicks by communicating wâ—th protestants and forsakinge vnion with the church of Rome should bee in this â—erplexitie euen by thes protestants confession Therefore they may not in conscience forsake communion with the Romane church to ioyne with thes protestants in such busines The fiâ—st proposition is euidently true for good thinges and certaine may not bee left and forsaken for thingeâ— either euill or vncertainely good And that men may not communicate in a straunge Religion is confirmed by D. Couell and M. Hull prouinge yt by many Couell exaÌ„ â—a 200. 201 Hul. Rom. â—ol p. 30. 31 32. 33. 34. Sutcliff exaÌ„ of petit pa. 10. 11. Povvel ref â—pist apoloâ—â—tic pag. â—5 23. 26. 27. 100. 114 112. 113. c. Feild pa. 27 pag. 182. examples and testimonies of scriptures and antiquitie Tâ—at wee may not communiâ—ate â—ith men of a diuers Religion D. Sutcliffe telleth vs that such communion is reproued by the authoritie both of the fathers of the church and of aunâ—iâ—nt Christian Empâ—rors The like hee testifieth of Holy scriptures M. Powell is plentifull in this matters and not needfull to bee cited noâ— man of learninge and conscience affirminge communion in a false or contrary Religion to bee lawfull The minor proposition of certaintie of saluation in the Roman church is thus confirmed by thes protestants D. Feilds wordes bee thes the Romane and laâ—ine church continued the true church of God euen till our tyme and againe in this maner Wee doubt not but the church of Râ—me in which the Bishop thereof exaltâ—d himselfe was not withstandingâ— the true câ—urch of God that is helâ— a sauing profession of the truthe in Christ and by force thereof conuerted many contryes from error to truthe D. Couell writeth thus in the name of them all Protestants Couell def of hooke pa. 68. doe gladly acknowledge them of the Romane church to bee tâ—â— family of â—hesus Christ they of Rome Were still are in the church it â—â— straunge for any man to deny them of Rome to bee of the church Wee affirme them of the Romane church Couell supr pag 73. 76. to bee partes of the church of Christ and that those that lyue and dye in that church may bee saued Yett both hee and D. Feild giue this sentence Couell sup pag. 76. Feild p. 69. Feild pag. 182. there iâ— noe saluation remission of synnes or hope of eternall life out of the church D. Feild further telleth vs that diuers of the Romane church euen of the best learned that coulde not pleade Ignorance bee saued and Saints in heauen Their Bishop Barlowe hath written how greate difficultie it is for princes to bee saued Barl. ag a name lâ—sse Cathol Willet An. pag. 144. Speede Theat of greate Britan yett D. Willet writeth thus it is not denyed by any protestant but many renowned kinges and Queenes of the Romane faithe are Saincts in heauen The names of our moste holy kinges and Queenes of England which M. Speede in his late Theater of greate Britanie relateth to haue forsaken their Crownes and kingdomes to become pore Monkes Nunnes in that church and Religion and to bee chronicled for all posterities to haue beene moste holy one â—arthe and now glorious Saints in heauen are too many to bee recited Therefore seing thes protestants assure vs that the church of Rome is the true church of Christ they that liue and dye in yt come to heauen and many
such are soe renowned Saints with God in heauen and that out of the true church there is noe saluation remission of sinnes or hope of eternall life and there is but one true church Catholicks in conscience cannot forsake the Religion and communion of that sacred and sauing Roman church to communicate with protestants Againe I argue thus That church and Religion â— vnto which all former good Christians of this kingdome whether Brittanes Romanes Saxons Danes Noruegians or Normans kinges or subiects were vnited in Religion vntill the tyme of kinge Henry the eight is still in all prudent Iudgment to bee continued in and communicated withall But the Romane church and Religion is such Therfore not to bee forsaken The maior proposition is euidently true for of necessitie that Religion of Christ which is good and maketh the professors of it such is to bee embraced and followed and they which embrace and followe yt to bee imitated and communicated with and the contrary to bee auoyded and forsaken for as it is the nature of goodnes and good thinges to bee desired and embraced Soe of euill such things to bee left and refused The Minor proposition is manifest by too many protestants to bee recited in this place I will therefore onely alledge their cheifest latest and moste approued writers M. Speed taking vppon him the name of the Author of the late booke called the Theater of greate Britaine is soe partiall a reporter Theater of greate Brit. in all christian kings vntill Henry 8. of things for protestants by Instigation of their Bishops and Ministers that hee is taxed by all indifferent men that were either the Composers of yt or that haue perused it with equall Iudgment And yett hee is wittnes through the Regiments of all Christian kings of England from Lucius the first vnrill the desolution begen by K. Henry the eight that the popes supreamacies Holy sacrifices of Masse prayer to Saincts and for the deade reuerence of Holy relicks and Images pilgrimage purgatory and other catholicke doctrines now impugned by protestants were euer allowed and generally practiced in this kingdome by practice and deuoute profession whereof to omit subiects though of high renowne sonnes and daughters of kings them selues more kings and Queenes in England became religeous monkes and Nunnes and now by thes protestants are honored for glorious kinges Queenes and Saincts in heauen Then euer were protestant kinges and Queenes in all the world though neuer soâ— vnworthy the name of Theater of greate Brit. pag. 33. n. 8. pag. 49. n. 5. pag. 53. pag 159 p. 161. pag. 294. pag. 298. pag. 301. pag. 305. Theat supr pag. 344. pag. 47. pag. 302. pag. 306. pag. 308. pag. 310. pag. 311. pag. 338. pag. 361. pag. 364. pag. 366. Saincts or sanctitie Such were as thes protestants tell vs Kinge and Sainct Ethelbert kinge and Sainct Offa and Sainct Fremandus his sonne kinge and Sainct Cheldwald kinge and Saint Sebba and his sonne and heire kinge and Saint Sighâ—rd kinge and Saint Ceolnulph kinge and Saint Egbert kinge and Saint Ethelred kinge and S. Errcombert kinge and S. Inas kinge and Saint Richarde kings and Saincts Edwards kinges and Sainct Epmunds and others women Queenes and Saincts Queene and Saint Outhburge Queene and Sainct Etheldred Queene and Saint Kineburge Queene and Saint Eadburge Queene and S. Eue Queene and S. Ethelburge Queene and S. Oswith kinge Sebba his wife not named by them Queene and Sainct kinswith Queene and Sainct Ermenhâ—ld Queene and S. Sexburge Queene and S. Ethelswith Queene S. Elfride Queene and S. Eanfled Queene and S. Edgine Queene and S. Edith Queene and S. Elfgine Queene and S. Emna Queene and Saint Eleanor with others That thes holy kinges and Queenes now glorious Saincts in heauen such as a false Religion could not make them were of that holy catholicke and Romane Religion which wee now professe and for profession Theater in those kinges and Queenes c. Bale l. de scrip Britan. in Augustino Parker in antiq Britan in Cranmer will in Synops Antylog c. Theater pa. 203. cap 9. Suteliff ag Kell pa. 105 Theater sup pag. 222. kinge Edw. lavves fol. 231. pag. 1. thereof vndergoe soe many miseries not only this their Theater but their pretended Bishop Bale before their soe named Archbishop Parker Doctor Willet and others testifie neither was there from the begynning by their writings any Religion or iurisdiction lawfully practised in this kingdome but from S. Peter the Apostle and the Popes of Rome of S. Peter thus they write That hee here founded churches D. Sutcliffs argument of Supreamacie and ordayned preists and deacons is reported by Simon Metaphraâ—â—es out of the greeke antiquities not likely to corrupt for the Romane church Guilielmus Eisingrenius in the first of his Century whoe saith that Peter was here in Neroes tyme They vrge for Pope and S. Eleuthertus epistle to kinge Lucius the lawes of S. Edward published by their protestant frend M. Lambert of Kent out of their Bishop Parkers library And by them and those their published lawes is euident that the Brittanes did not onely receaue all spirituall Iurisdiction Religion Bishops and preists from that holy Pope but temporall benefites more then protestants are gratefull for or I meane to vrge or stand vppon The wordes of those their cited lawes in the very page before are thes concerning King Edwards lavveâ— fol. 130 pa. 2. the Crowne of England The whole land all the Ilands to Norway and Denmarke belonge to the Crowne of his kingdome and are of the appendancies and dignities of the kinge and it is one Monarchie and oâ—e kingdome and was sometime called the kingdome of Britanye and now called the kingdome of Englishmen For Lord Eleutherius Pope whoe first sent an hallowed Crowne to Britanny and Christianitie by Gods inspiration to Lucius kinge of the Britannes appointed and allowed to the Crowne of the kingdome such metes and bowndes as are said before Of our Conuersion and Religion by S. Augustine and after they haue spoken sufficiently before I will add but one testimonie of their primatiue kinge and Saint Inaâ— their words bee thus Kinge Ina builded the renowned abbey of Theater pa. 298. 299. n. 11. Glastembury moste stately to the honor of Christ Peter and Paule where formerly stood the old Cell of Ioseph of Aremathia Which this kinge Ina after a moste sumptuous maner new built The Chappell whereof he garnished with gold syluer and gaue riech ornaments therto as altare Chalice Censor candlesticks Bason and holy water buckett Imadges and pale for the altare of an incredible value For the golde there vppon besiowed amounted to three hundred three pownde whaight and the syluer to twoe thowsand eight hundred thirtie fiue pownde besides prctious gemmes embrouched in the celebrating vesteres hee instituted a yearely payment to the See of Rome a penny for an howse on lammas day called Peter pence After hee had raigned in
expect an Impossibilitie larkes if the skye falleth wee should bee then in as desperate a case by their Religion as before For in their publick article and Rule they haue thus defined generall councells may â—rr euen in things pertayningâ— Articl of Relig â—rt 21. Feild l. of the church pag. vnto God Vnto which I will add the publicke protestant opinion sett downe by D. Feild in these wordes Bishops assâ—mbled in a generall councell haue autâ—oritie to interprett scriptures and by their authoritie to supresse all them that gaynesay such interpretation and subiect euery man that shall disobey such determination as they consent vppon to Excommunication and censure of like nature This is the desolate estate of protestants Religion by their owne testimonies without hope of hopâ—ls generall councell there is noe hope of truthe or saluation in their Religion And with hope of that which can neuer bee the misery is still remaininge for wee are still left in daunger of error to condemne vs and perill of separation from the church out of which as they teach before there is noe saluation remission of sinnes or hope Couell def pa. â—6 Feild pag. 69. of eternall life Therfore seing by vnion and communion in Religion with protestants both by their Iudgments and our owne alsoe wee should bee in this damnable perplexitie and certaine daunger of euerlastinge hell And by remayning in vnitie with the church of Rome in which wee comfort our selues and offer to mayntaine against all opponents herericks or Infidells that the church of Christ Popes and generall Councells cannot iudicially erre in matters of faith wee are freed from those desperate conditions and lyue in moste comfortable hope of true Religion in earth and euerlastinge saluation in heauen wee may not forsake the catholicke church Vrâ—is orbis of Rome and the whole christian world to ioyne with the parlament and soe miserable protestant church of England and one kingdome For confirmation of this though not needinge to bee confirmed and for further demonstration in this question I argue thus Noe men in time of controuersie about Religion may with securitie and conscience forsake the communion of the superior mother and Apostolick commaunding church or that is taught to haue especiall assistance of God in matters of Religion or that vnto which to adhere by the Iudgment of the primatiue fathers was taken for a suer taken of a true catholick euen by the coÌ„fession of protestants to Ioyne with an Inferior commaunded and subiect church vtterly destitute of such prerogatiues and acknowledged by the doctors thereof to bee erroneous But the Catholicks of England by forsakinge vnion with the church of Rome and communicatinge with english protestants should bee in this conscionles and irreligeous condition Therefore they may not doe yt The maior proposition is three fold contayning in effect three propositions as the argument for breuitie three demonstratiue arguments The first proposition is this The mother superior and commaundinge church may not vvithout greater authoritie bee forsaken to Ioyne vvith a subiect Inferior and commaunded church And it is euidently true otherwise yt should not bee the Mother superior and commaundinge church but the contrary inferior subiect commaunded The second proposition is this That church which in the Iudgment of many hath especiall assistance from God and freedome from error in religion iâ— rather to bee communicated with then that which by all men euen the best learned of it self is condemned of error and confessed to be fallible and deceauing iudgment And this alsoe is manifestly true for in the first there is either assurednes or contenting hope to bee free from error and obtaine salualtion in the other noe true hope thereof at all but a confessed certainetie of error seducing and to bee damned The third proposition is this That church which by the primatiue fathers had that priuiledge â—s the aduersaries doe graunt that to adhere vnto yt was a signe of a true beleeuing catholicke is reather to bee communicated with then that which neuer had or claymed such prerogatiue And this proposition is likwise apparantlie true for in the former there is securitie from error and in the second euident certaintie to fall into error and state of damnation Now that the case of english catolicks should bee this in all this three propositions if they should communicate with english protestans I doe thus demonstrate by thes protestans them selues and first how the romane church was and still is this mother superior commaundinge Church may appeare by the sentence of his maiestè concerninge that church in this K speach in parlam wordes it is our mother church it was a rule to all both in doctrine and ceremonies when it was in her florishinge and best estate And in the conference Conference at HamptoÌ„ pag. 75. at Hampton Court their Bishop Barlowe relateth thus Tâ—e kings resolution is that noe church ought further to seperate it selfe from the church of Rome either in doctrine or ceremonies then shee hath departed from herselfe when shee was in her florishinge and best estate and from Christ our Lord and deade D. Downame Downam l. 1. Anticor ca. 3 pa. 36. denieth not but bothe Iustinian the Emperor and the generall councell of Calcedon in the primatiue church did attribute to the Pope of Rome to bee heade of the churche And the same D. Downame D. Couell D. Sutcliffe Porkins Down supr pag. 106. â—07 Couell plea of Innoc pa. 65. Sutcliff sub viâ—p 19 Perk probl pag. 237. 238. and others wittnes that at such time wherein they confesse that church a Rule to all both in doctrine and ceremonies and not to bee separated from it exercised this supreame iurisdictâ—on in all partes of the worlde Asia Africke and Europe Therefore this Rule to all is not in ruling departed from her selfe or Christ our heade and soe wee mâ—y not bee seperated from yt Which M. Ormerod proueth further assuring vs that in the Apostles time it claymed thes priuiledges of preeminence indefectibilitie from the irreuocable graunte of Christ in holy Ormer pict pap pag. 78. scriptures his wordes bee thes To proue that the church of Rome hath the preeminence ouer all churches Anacletus lyuing in the Apostles time a blessed Saint and martyr alleageth Math. 16. vers 18. vppon this rocke vvill I build my church and hee expoundeâ—h it thus super hanc petram id est super ecclesiam Romanam vppon this rocke that is vpon the church of Rome vvill I build my church Therfore for any man to say that wee may sepearate our selues from the church of Rome because it is departed from it selfe when it was in her florishing and best estate is not onely a very friuolous and vaine excuse but in their opinion and Relation manifestly false because this church of Rome euen in that her best estate did clayme and by the warrant and graunt of Christ registred in holy scriptures as ample
make Bishops preists bee true then their pretended Bishops and ministers claymed by his ordination are not true and lawfull but voide and inualidate If their second opinion contradictorie to the first bee true that the Pope is not Antichrist but the true Vicar Preist and Bishop of Christ as one or the other is moste true Then first because it is not my nature to giue yt they must take this infamous and notorious lye amongst them by their owne Iudgment Secondly as their brethren before haue tolde them they must confesse that the Pope of Rome and Offer supr pag. 16. that church and in them God and Christ Ihesus himselfe haue had greate wronge and indignitis offered vnto them and that the protestant churches are schismaticall in forsakinge the vnion and communion with them Thirdly that their extreamest and bloody persecutions against the sacred preists and Catholicks of England haue longe time beene and still continued are yett moste barbarous and Antichristian Fourthly that they must doe penance and seeke absolution of this by his maiesties Censure their Mother church Fiftly they must still continue in this state K. speach in parlam recantinge their former false brauings and heresies or els neuer to bee credited hereafter This is all the choise I can propose vnto then lett them make their owne election And which soeuer they chuse this is their miserable and desperate case that they haue not now any one true or lawfull Bishop or preist except some few vnhappy Renegadoes from the Romane church in England by their owne proceedings For if I should graunt which Mason proueth not that Barlowe was a true Bishop made in the time of kinge Henry 8 and a Consecrator of Matthew Parker which soe many their owne testimonies before deny yetâ— M. Mason hath told vs before that his commission power and purpose was to make him an Archbishop according to the forme of the protestant Mason sup in coÌ„secrat Matth. park statutes which as before was onely to giue him false iurisdiction without order And yett as I haue proued by them sâ—luâ—s true iurisdiction maketh not a true and lawfull Bishop Secondly whatsoeuer is the Catholick opinion in making Bishops and whether onely one or more consecratinge Bishops of necessitie are required whereof wee doe not dispute because their commission was onely Stat. Henr. 8. of making Bishops stat An. 1. Eliz. reuiuing yt according to the forme of their statutes the statutes of kinge Henry 8. and Queene Elizabeth as before required foure Bishops and soe their practise is in all M. Masons pretended consecrations of Yonge Grindall Packhurst Mason in cons of yonge c. Coxe Iuell Pilkinton Sandes Downame Bentham and the rest though pretending to be onely ordinary Bishops But for Archbishops their statutes of necessitie require fower and being repealed by Q Elizabeth Thirdly M. Mason sup concil Flor. in vnione Mason and others graunt with the generall Councell of Florence that nothing is soe essentiall in true ordination as the true and lawfull forme and matter And yett M. Mason and his directors bee wittnesses that Parker by whome they all now clayme was soe farr from hauinge the catholicke true forme matter and maner of consecration That they plainely acknowledge Hee was made and admitted far otherwise and in different maner to all true MasoÌ„ineoÌ„s of Matth. Park Archbishops of Canterbury before him from S. Augustines time and our first Christianitie Fourthly if by impossibilitie against all those euidence and without any Rituall or Order at all then all both ours and their owne as before condemned not one or any part of any vsed or lawfull to bee vsed any man could bee seduced to thinke that in their begynninge they had true Bishops of them which had beene made preists by catholike consecration yett because M. Mason his Mason in consecr directors and others and their generall practise assure vs that noe man not beinge a true and lawfull preist can possibly bee made a Bishop Stowe Hollinsh hiâ—t An. 1. Eliz. Articles of Relig. c. And bothe Barlowe and all their other pretended Consecrators were professed enemyes to preisthood sacrifice and holy oblation for the quicke and deade and that forme was condemned by their lawes and a quite contrary by statutes of kinge Edward and Q. Elizabeth made allowed and euer since practised against yt these men as I said cannot possibly now haue either true Bishop or preist amonge them all such in probabilitie deade longe since But M. Mason obiecteth that true preisthood Mason in coÌ„secrat of preists is not sacrificing preisthood nor giuen by such forme but by these wordes Recâ—aue the Holy Ghost whose synnes you forgiue they are forgiuen Obiest and whose synnes you retaine they are retayned And soe the Romane church euer retayninge in consecration those woâ—des as well as those of offeringe sacrifice for the lyuing and deade they still retayned true preisthood the protestants by that title and meanes receaued yt from them I Answeare him this is but his new and singular inuention for D. Sutchffe speaking Answ of our preists hath these wordes their preists are not called to preach and baptizeâ— but to Sutcliff ag D. Kell pag. 4. Feild l. of tâ—e church c. sacrifice Christs body and blood vnder the accidents of breade and wine for the quicke and the deade Like is the doctrine of the rest And allthough we graunt the former wordes of losing and bindinge to bee requisite to absolue from synnes yett neither we nor protestants truely relating our doctrine can call yt the principall act of preisthood whereof wee dispute and which if it â—ee wanting the secondary is not giuen For proofe of this M. Mason himselfe bringeth more testimonies out of scriptures Councells and fathers then euer he or protestants will answeare I must be breife Therefore Mason in sacrificâ— c. I vrge him but vppon these his graunts Christ was a preist after the order of Mâ—lchizedech and soe was to offer sacrifice according to that Order for as the Apostle saith Euery high preist is to offer sacrifice to God for the people therefore he graunteth that Christs bodie and blood giuen or offered to God for the people is a true sacrifice Which Christ manifestly affirmed to be done at his institution of this sacrifice when hee said this is my bodie which is giâ—en for you my blood which is shedd for you in remission of synns Otherwise hee had neuer performed the function of his preisthood after the order of Melchisedech Therefore seeing Christs bodie was giuen and his blood shed both for the quick the deade and wee are preists after that order we are by our preisthood to offer sacrifice for the people because the Apostle saith euery highe preist Archicireus is to dâ—e yt and to bee a preist and high preist differ not in the preisthood office and sacrifice but in the Archi to bee higher or lower greater
pa. 87. 88. 89. 91. which neither prince nor potentate kinge nor Caesar on earth caÌ„ giue Ministeriall power is a worke of seperation because it seuereth them that haue yt from other men and maketh them a speciall Order consecrated vnto the seruice of the moste high in things wherewith others may not ineddle The Character of Order is an actiue power which giueth an Abilitie publickly to administer the sacraments Then the pretended ministery of England not being of this holy Order as is proued from them before hath noe power to minister sacraments especiall this which consisteth in soe holy consecration which they not onely want but deny to bee exercised Therefore there remaineth but one Sacrament Baptisme which these protestants can by any semblâ—nâ—e of reason make clayme vnto if this were graunted yett they are allreadie by themselues condemned not hauing either sacraments duely ministred or sacraments how soeuer duely or vnduly ministred and soe haue noe note of the true church by their owne doctrine But I will alsoe shew that by their owne testimonie they either haue not this sacrament or not duely ministred And thus I argue by their doctrine Noe ministringe of Baptisme by women lay men or any but a lawfully admitted minister is duely ministred But with protestants in England lawfull ministers doe not baptize by their owne testimonie Therefore Baptisme with them is noe true baptisme or not duely ministred by their owne Iudgment The maior proposition is proued by his Maiesties Censure in their Hampton Conference where their Bishop Barlowe speaking of three things to bee then cheefely entreated writeth thus The third was priuate baptisme if priuate CoÌ„fereÌ„ce at Hampt Court pa. 8 for place his maiestie thought it agreed with the vse of the primatiue church if for parsons that any but a lawfull minister might baptise any Where hee vtterly disliked and in this point his highnes grewe somewhat earnest against the baptizing by Women and laickes The first of the other Copie 1 sup annexed protestant copies reporteth the Kings speache in this maner Hee spake bitterly against Copie 2. priuate Baptisme saying hee had as liue an ape as a vvoman should baptiâ—e â—â—s child The next protestant copie of that conference speaketh thus The kinge concluded against priuate Baptisme By which it seemeth that Baptisme ministred by any but a truely and lawfully ordered preist or minister was not Baptisme And then to proue the minor proposition the english protestants of england haue not true baptisme Because as is proued before by their owne writings they haue noe true ministers And soe by their owne publicke communion booke teaching comm booke tit publ Baptisme that none are admitted into the Church of Christ but by Baptisme the protestants of England by their owne doctrine are noe Christians Which absâ—rditie to follow vppon this doctrine ioyned with the defect of their protestant ministery may seeme to haue beene perceaued by D. Bilson their protestant Bishop of Winchester for that protestant Author of Copie 1. of Conference sup the first copie writeth thus The Bishop of Winchester sayde that if hâ—â— tooke avvay priuate baptisme hee ouerthrevv all antiquitie Further I argue thus The protestants of England by their owne testimonies to bee vsed in the next chapters and as appeareth alsoe by them allreadie are hereticks therefore by their doctrie printed their children are not to bee baptized And soe by them there is noe baptisme priuate or not priuate amonge them because they onely baptise children The Antecedent is euident and the consequent published Ormerod dialog 1. by M. Ormerod in these wordes Children of hereticks and of such as by excommunication are cut from the church may not bee baptised Therefore by these protestant positions noe protestants in England being either to baptise or bee baptized there is noe Baptisme among them much lesse Baptisme duely ministred which is the poynt in question And soe not any one sacrament to giue grace amonge them therfore noe meruaile if soe greate prophane sins impieties raigne amoÌ„g them as they testifie hereafter Further whereas it is proued that Christ instituted all those seauen sacraments which bee vsed in the Romane church with their grace matter forme c. these men doe not retayne any one or not duely ministred by their owne testimonies Therfore noe true church with them nor spirituall communion to bee had with them To these I add this argument from themselues soe agreing together in all materiall things such as sacraments bee noe companie where the sacraments bee not or not duely ministred is the true church or to bee communicated within Religion But the english protestant supposed church by their owne testimonies is such Therefore it is not the true church nor to bee communicated with in Religion the Articul 19 maior proposition consisteth of their publicke and Authorized article of Religion The minor is thus proued by these agreing protestants M. Ormerod relateth their sentence in these words amonge the protestants sacraments Ormer pict purit l. 3. dial 1. are vvickedly mangled and prophaned yea and vvickedly ministred For confirmation whereof their Bishop Barlowe hath thus written by the testimonie of their late Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Chauncellor before the kinge The vicar of â—aâ—â—sdale was proued before CoÌ„feâ—eÌ„ce at Hampton pag 99. the Lord Archbishop to deale breade out of a baskett for the communion euery man putting in his hand and taking out a peece The protestant Author of the booke named An abridgment AbridgmeÌ„t pag. 72. of Lincoln dioces writeth thus of their publickly allowed practicall of Religion It appointeth sondry things that tend directly to the prophanation of the holy sacraments either by prostituting them to vnvvorthie parsons or administringe them vnreuerently And D. Willet the stiled Professor of diuinitie seemeth to bee of the same opinion And therefore coueteth to retayne a name of a church vnto them though they haue noe sacrament at all not bâ—ptisme yt selfe to bee ministred in yt wherevppon his words bee these It is â—rrâ—neous to thinke that Baptismâ— Willet An til pa. 127. and the church can not bee seperaâ—ed The 5. Demonstration is Because these protestants manifestly acknowledge that their pretended church is not the true church of Christ AND by this it is euidently demonstraâ—ed by these protestants against themselues that soe longe time pretending to bee refâ—â—ners of Religion and church they are now conuinced by their owne Testimonies not to haue the true church but rather noe church of Christianitie att all For wheresoeuer the pure word of God is not preached the sacraments duely ministred and lawfully called ministers to doe these things ther is not the true church but rather noe christian church att all But as is proued by these english protestants such is their stâ—te and condition Therefore they eyther haue noe christian church at all or at the leaste noe true church by their owne confession Therefore
noe spiriâ—uall communion to bee had with them both propositions are graunted anâ— proued by â—heses protestants before and further may bee confirmed by these words of D. Feild for the maâ—or proposition There is and allwayes hath beene a visible church Feild pa 21 and that not consistinge of some foâ—e scattered Christians without order of ministery or vse of sacraments for all this vve doe moste Willingly yeeld vnto And againe in this maner In the Feild sup pag. 25. church of God is fovvnde an entire profession of the sauing truth of God Order of holy ministery sacraments by vertue thereof aâ—ministred and a blessed vnitie and fellovvship of the people of God c. vnder the commaunde of lavvfull pastors and guides And againe in his second booke hee Feild l. 2. ca. 2. p. 40. maketh this a note vnseperable an vnion or connexion of men in profession and vse of sacraments vnder lavvfull pastors Therefore demonstration being made by these protestants themselues that their Church soe termed by them wanteth these things which is the second proposition The Conclusion that their Congregation or pretended church is noe church or not the true church is manifestly true and soe not to bee communicated within Religion Further from soe well agreing protestants in all essentiall things as they teache vs I argue thus Noe societie or companie of men affirmed by themselues or men agreing with them in all essentiall and materiall points of Religion to bee noe church or not the true church can in conscience bee taken and esteemd by others differing from them in Religion to bee the true church and to bee communicated with in sermons seruyce Sacraments c. But the english protestants are in this condition Therfore they haue not the true church nor may bee communicated with in such things The maior proposition is euidently true for noe testimonie is greater to a man then his owne iudgment vnderstanding and conscience and of others not differinge beinge an internall lawe and direction vnto all men The minor Couell def of Hooke pag 65. 75 pag. 74. Couell exaÌ„ pag. 3 Ormerod pict purit k. 1. Ormer dial 1. Feild episc dedicat of the church Couell def pa. 50. cont Burg. p. 60. WottoÌ„ def p. 442. c. D. Abbotag Hill p. 101. 102. 236. 237. 247. doue persu p. 32. mort satisf p. 18. Sutcl ag kell pag. 42 iâ— ill Antil p. 15. Middl. pap pa. 201 WottoÌ„ def is thus proued by these their soe well agreâ—ng protestants themselues whose sentence is thus sett downe by D. Couell in these words The statute congregations of England arâ— noe true churches And againe in these termes the protestant church of England is noe church at all And further thus the protestants of England haue noe forme of a church M. Ormerod lâ—kewise doth thus register their Censure against themselues in this order The protestant church is not the true church of Christ. And thus againe the protestant church in England is not the true church it hath not soe much as the outward face and shew of the true church Then because D. Feild with others assure vs there is noâ— part of heauenly doctrine more necessarie in these daies then to knovv the church and true sponse of Christ and that there is noe saluation remission of synnes or hope of eternall life out of the church This must needs bee a moste necessarie essentiall and materiall point in Religion otherwise nothing is or can bee necessarie essentiall or materiall wherefore seinge their protestant Archbishop of Canterbury their protestant Bishop of Peterborough their Doctors Morton Sutcliffe Willet Wotton Povvell Middleton and all protestants as they teach doe hold that they all agree in euery essentiall point none but papists and lyers affirme the contrary and noe Goliath can proue yt they all agree and must conclude that the protestants haue noe church p. 28. Couâ—ll ag apologet epist. pag. 48. 52. c. or not the true church And soe noe spirituall communion is to bee had with them The 6. particular protestant demonstration for Catholicks iust Recusancie is Because English protestants by their owne testimonies are hereticks and moste notorious hereticks FVRTHER I proceede in this matter with this demonstration noe societie companie or fellowship of men that by their owne testimonies or hereticks may bee communicated with in spirituall things But these english protestants are such therefore not to bee communicated with in such busines The maior proposition is thus proued by these protestants Their Bishop D. Doue writeth thus This proposition noe hereticks nor Scismaticks are Doue persuas pag. to bee communicated withall is vndoubtedly true because it is grounted vppon scripture Tit. 3. Ioh. â—p 2. Rom. 16. M. Hull teaceth by many examples Hull Rom. pol. p. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. Ormer pag p. 51. Powell cons pag. 8. in concl Sutcl exam of petit p. 9. and testimonies of scriptures and antiquitie in this maner Wee may not communicate vvith hereticks and men of a diuers Religion M. Ormerod is of the same opinion M. Powell writeth thus With Idolaters hereticks good men ought to haue noâ— communion D. Sutcliff handleth this point more at lardge and first citeth the Loadicean councell can 31. 32. 33. which doth directly condemne communion vvith hereticks either in Mariadge or in prayer And hee further speaketh thus The fourth councell of Cathage cap. 70. forbiddeth cleargie men all festings and fellovvship vvith hereticks and Scismaticks Alsoe against communion with such people hee citeth these scriptures Deuter 13. Psal 16. Deut. 16. Deut. 29. Sutcl sup pa. 5. 6. 7. 8. Zephan 1. Matth 7. Matth. 16 Gal 5. Apocal. 2. num 16. Iosue 23. 2. Corinth 6. And calleth euen the tolleration of any false hereticall Religion repugnant to Râ—asons of Religion and holy scriptares Hee telleth further such communion is reproued by the authoritie both of the fathers of the church and of auntient christian Emperors For fathers hee citeth S. Athanasius Gregorie Nazianeen sup pa. 10. 11. cap. 3. Hierome Augustine Ambrose Irenaeus Dionysius Heraclas Optatus of Meleuit And addeth thus Eusebius l. 7. hist c. 6. by the authoritie of Dyoninisius and Heraclas prouâ—th that such as conuerso vvith hereticks are excommunicate For Emperors hee alleadgeth the degrees of these primatiue pag. 11. christiaÌ„ Emperors ConstaÌ„tine Gratian Valentinian Theodosius Arcadius Honorius Martianus and Iustinian And to conclude that all protestants will seeme to bee of the same opinion the protestant Author of the booke AbridgmeÌ„t An. 1605. pag. 18. named Abridgment of a booke of the ministers of Lincoln dioces writeth thus By the iudgment of the godly learned of all churches and ages vvho haue constantly taught and giuen testimonie to this truth that Christians are bounde to cast of the cerâ—monies and râ—ligeous customes of pagans Ievves Idolaters and hereticks and carefully to shun all conformitie vvith them And for this Sup. pa. 18. 19. 20.
21. 22. 23. auoyding of communion hee citeth the first generall councell of Nice Augustine Tertullian Pope Melchiades Ambrose Gregorie the greate S. Leâ— the church of Scotland Oecolampadius Caluin Bucor Musculus Peter martyr Beza Zanchius Pezelius Mollerus Szegâ—dinus Danaeus Michabaeus Zepperus Wigandus M. Rogers the latâ— Queenes iniunctions her Canons Bishop Iâ—wâ—ll B. Pilkinton B. Westphalingâ— Bilson D. Humfry D. Fulke D. Andrevves D. Sutcliffe and other protestants Soe that wee see by these men that this is onely the doctrine of the primatiue Councells fathers Emperors and the present catholicke church but generally of protestants themselues The second proposition that these protestants are hereticks is directly proued before by their owne writings for men obstinately settinge vpp and mayntayninge against their lawfull superior and commaunding Authoritie a congregation of men wanting true preaching of the word of God due ministration of sacramens and an intruded and vsurped ministery as by their owne testimonies they haue longe tiue done and still doe must needs bee hereticks For thus they define heresie Hereticks Couell exâ— pag. 202. Ormerod dial 2. are men obstinately â—rringe in some fundamentall poynt Such as these bee by their owne doctrine before And these againe Hee is an hereticke which soâ— swarueth from the vvholesome doctrine as contemning the iudgment both of God and the church persisteth in his opinion and breaketh the peace of the church As these men haue longe time done in the highest degree and soe still perseuere Secondly as I haue alsoe proued before D. Couell exaÌ„ pag. 199. Couell writeth thus Hereticks are they vvhoe directly gaynesay some article of our faith are or haue beene condemned by some generall Councell But these protestants are in this state condemned as they haue acknowledged in diuers such articles by diuers councells which they write and testifie to bee generall as the second Nicene Councell the Councell of Florence Constance Laterane and others and not in some one article of faith though that by their recited definition were sufficient to make them hereticks but in all or the cheefest articles of their Religion and yett not onely obstinately they defend their Errors against these allowed generall Councells and the whole Catholicke church but moste vnchristianely and heretically haue in their subscribed article condemned these their lawfull iudges to haue erred in those Articu 19. things which is the greatest and moste notorious act of heresie that can bee and such as destroyeth all true Religion Therefore by their owne Censure they are notorious hereticks not to bee communicated withall in matters of Religion Thirdly I suppose in this place breefely which these protestants before haue testified at lardge that they all agree in fundamentall points without variance at all And that definition of heresie by them before Hereticks are men obstinately erring in some fundamentall Couell exaÌ„ pag. 202. point And I argue these whosoeuer by themâ—â—lues pretended to agree in all fundamentall essentiall and materiall things are yett by them selues often ceâ—â—ured denounced and adiuged to bee hereticks are to bee esteemed for such and not to bee communicated with in Religeous things But these english protestants by their owne Censures and iudgments are in this condition Therefore to bee esteemed and in spirituall communication to bee auoided as hereticks The maior proposition is euidently true for as the christian philosopher writeth Satie firmum argumentum est c. That argument Lactant firmian Insti l. 4. de vera sap cap. 12. or euidence that is giuen of the enemyes themsâ—lues is stronge enough to proue the truthe for noe man will deny that which both frends and opposites affirme The minor proposicion that english protestants by their owne censures are hereticks is proued by them in this order D. Willet writeth in these words protestants VVillet apud Parkesp 20 haue sett a foote straunge nouelâ—ies paradoxes vvhirle pilt poynts bubbâ—â—s of nevv doâ—trine straunge and vnsounde positions contrary to the scripture Therefore by their doctrine hereticall and they bee hereticks which M. Parkes Parkes ag lymb inpref sup ep ded Ormer dial 2. Ormer pict pur intitul Ormer dial 1. speaking of them plainely testifieth in these words they haue pestilent heresiâ—s And againe They are hereticall and sacriledgeous M. Ormerod writeth of these soe well agreing protestants in this maner They are in the compasse of heresie And againe They doe resemble the Anabaptists condemned hereticks in aboue sourescore seuerall things And further these They ioyne sondrie things vvith the pharises Apostolicks Aerians Pepusians Petrobusians Florinians Cerinthians Nazarens Beguardines Ebionites Catababdites Catherists Iouinians c. All which bee condemned hereticks both by this mans other protestants iudgment And hee addeth further in these words there vvas scarce heresie inuented Ormer dial 2. by olâ— hereâ—icks which they haue not ioyned in reuiue and renevve vvith freâ—h and nevv colours Therefore by their owne testimonie they are hereticks if hereticks or notorious hereticks bee hereticks Againe I argue in this maner whosoeuer are obstinate in their errors being such that strike at mayne points of faith shake the foundation it selfe heauen and hell the diuinitie humanitie and the verie soule and saluation of Christ are to bee auoyded as hereticks But these english agreing protestants by their owne writings are such Therefore to bee auoyded as hereticks The maior proposition is euidently true The minor proposition is thus proued by M. Parkes whoe in his booke dedicated to their late Archbishop of Canterbury D. Bancroft writeth of these agreing protestants in these words They are heade stronge and hardened in Parkes â—pist dedic error they stricke at mayne points of faith shaking the foundation it selfe and calling in question heauen and hell the diuinitie and humanitie yea the very soule and saluation of our Sauiour himselfe Therefore hereticks by their owne testimonie Further I argue thus whatsoeuer pretended Religion doth sow swarue from the holy scriptures and Gods commaundments that it cannot bee kept without breach of them and is soe notoriously impious that by those of their owne profession and accompted godly amonge them it hath beene accompted to haue noe lawes noe good order noe discipline c. is hereticall But the english protestant Religion by their owne confession is such Therefore hereticall and not to bee communicated with in spirituall things The maior proposition is manifestly true And the minor is thus proued by these protestants themselues The english protestant author of the booke named certayne demaunds writeth in these words the protestant Cert demauÌ„ds An. 1605. p. 42. Ormer piâ—â— pur c. 3. Religion of EnglaÌ„d cannot bee kept without breach oâ— the commaundements M Ormerod writeth thus it hath beene conceaued by godly men in forreyne Contreyes that the english protestants haue noe lawes noe good orders noe discipline but that euery man may doe what hee list Therefore if their owne godly brethren in Religion and by their owne Relation as
Scismatici contra Episcopos non sunt audiendi Scismaticks are not to bee hard against Bishops M. Ormerod speaketh of them in this maner Ormer dial 2. They peâ—seuer in inueterate and olde Scisme which by the auntient fathers and protestants alsoe maketh heresie Therefore protestants are both scismaticks and hereticks M. Powell himselfe Povvell cons pa 11. 16 19. pag. 25. 35. 48. 52. a puritane writeth thus of them They are Scismaticall they are in scisme thâ—â—r caâ—e is â—â—ismaticall they haue pâ—anaticall giddinâ—s Sciâ—mes factions and innouation thâ—â— are soâ—ers â—f sâ—diâ—ion scisme and faction they are scismaticks they are guiltie of scisme M Parkes calleth them Scismaticall hereticall and sacriledgeous they are Parkes Apol â—pist ded headstronge in Scisme and hardened in error How the puritane protestants vppon the groundes of our english protestants haue condemned all protestaÌ„t churches to be scismatical against the church and Pope of Rome is related before and the protestant author of the Cert consid An. 1565. â—p dedicat booke named certaine considerations giueth this testimonie The protestants of England syn against God in their proceedings their Religion is sedâ—tious a sect Scisme it is much like to an euill herbe or vveâ—de vvhich if it bee not speedely rooted vp but suffered to spreade vvill soone ouerspreade the gardons of God vvitâ— vice and impietie as there will scarce beâ— any roume left for vertue and pietie And D. Couell a man of best temper in writing amonge them speaketh thus of Couell exâ—â— pag. 139. their english protestants The scismes and diuisions amongst vs haue made a number renounce their office Then if the protestant Ministers themselues haue thus obserued themselues to bee in Scismes and therevppon renounced their office and communion Catholickâ— may not now begyn to communicate with them thus by themselues condemned for Scismaticks The 8. particular protestant demonstration for Catholicks iust Recusancie is Because the publicke protestant Seruice at which they refuse to bee present and communicate in is false hereticall iustely condemned and damnable by their owne doctrine NOw to come to their preteÌ„ded church seruice it selfe at which because Catholicks moste iustely as before refuse to bee present and for such Recusancie or Refusall are moste vniustly and aboue the measure of punishment of the greatest and notorious syns excepting treasons and matters of state punished and afflicted being conteyned in that their soe called Communion Booke or Booke of common prayers I argue thus Noe man may communicate with Hereticks and Scismaticks especiallie in prayers and publicke seruice not onely inuented and vsed without the allowance of the true and lawfull pastors but directly opposite and repugnant to the highest spirituall authoritle and iurisdiction But the english protestants by their owne testimonies before are in this case Therefore not to bee communicated with in such prayers and seruice Secondly I argue thus noe new deuised order of prayer deuised by consortinge vnto and in it selfe conteyninge and approuinge a Religion contrary to holy scriprures both the written and vnwritten word of God generall Councells decrees and doctrine of the primatiue Popes and fathers and to all churches of Christendome both present and heretofore derogatorie both to the triumphant militant and patient church of Christ where â—ll sacraments and instruments of grace either are absolutely denyed oâ— soe vnduely and prophanely vsed that all grâ—ce by them is taken away from the lyuinge from them that die from Cleargie from laitie for the maried vnmaryed olde younge Ritch and pore and where there is not true ministery nor church to haue any hope of saluation in may bee communicated withall especially if these moste greuous and enormeous absurdities and inconueniences bee proued and made apparant by the cheife professors themselues of such a supposed Religion But the lamentable case and condition of these english protestants as is demonstratiuely proued by them befor is such as is her recited Therfore their seruice not to be communicated with vnder moste damnable and desperate syn Thirdly I argue in this maner whatsoeuer seruyce rite of sacraments or fashion of prayer was condemned by the best learned protestants of England Scotland Fraunce c. to bee foolish trifelinge and by reason apparant to bee disallowed and yett was deuised and allowed by the onely authoritie of an vnlearned childe kinge Edward 6. and Queene Elizabeth a woman not onely repugnant vnto the publicke approued office of our mother and commaundinge church the church of Rome but different from the custome of all protestant churches may not bee communicated withall But the english protestant Seruice and booke of common prayer is such by these protestants themselues Therfore by them not to bee communicated with The maior proposition is euidently true for the seruice that should bee soe receaued by any particular and not commaunding church as the english is not against the vse order and doctrine of all other churches true or pretended must needs bee both scismaticall and hereticall The minor proposition is thus proued first that the english protestant seruice is repugnant vnto the publicke seruice of the latine greeke Armenian other auntient churches it is euident by their liturgies Masses litanies c. conteining the doctrines Miss S. Iacobi Chrisâ— Basil Aethiopum Mussarob Gregor c Couell against Burg pag. 69. of transsubstantiation prayer to Saints for the deade c. how it differeth from other protestant churches and was condemned by the best learned protestants of them is thus proued by protestants them selues First D. Couell writeth in these words The protestant Bishop of London Ridley a cheefe martyr with M. Foxe wrote vnto M. Grindall after their protestant Arâ—hbishop of Canterbury that a man of witâ— and learninge may finde to make apparant reasons against the booke of common prayer Then I may first conclude that this their pseudomartyr practizing that Booke and seruice against witt and learninge was either vnlearned and wittles or without Religion grace and conscience or both as others succeding vnto him bee by his Censure and such Booke and seruice not to bee communicated with And to shew that this opinion of their Bishop Ridley was not singular but common amonge those first protestants he writeth thus in another treatise The first protestants of this kingdome in a letter Couell â—xaÌ„ pag. 72. subscribed with eleuen of their hands whereof Knoxe Gilby Whittingam Goodman were foure moste of them suerly hauing both learninge iudgment call the english protestant Ceremonies trifles and superfluous Ceremonies From whence I first conclude that their seruice soe censured with soe many learned and iudicious men as this protestant esteemeth them may not bee communâ—cated with Secondly I conclude this their protestant Religion and seruice to bee new against all former churches and ages and soe hereticall For hee calleth those Censurers of the communion Booke first deuised vnder kinge Edward 6. The first protestants of this kingdome Therefore this their
religion neuer maintayned or taught before is new and hereticall For Scotland this protestant Doctor hath told vs before that Knoxe their cheife protestant disallowed this their seruice which hee testifieth alsoe in his booke against Burges in these words Knoxe disallovved the communion booke Conell against Burg pag. 69. And the same of Knoxe was soe highely applauded with protestants That D. Sutcliffe hath tolde vs before that their Brethren in Scotland had imposition of hands from Knoxe therefore Knoxe not being a Bâ—shop must needs bee an Apostle extraordinarie or greater in his iudgment For France and Suitcerland Caluine and Bucer are renowned amonge protestants and Couell sup pa. 69. 122. pag 47. yett the same protestant Doctor writeth thus Bucer Censured the communion booke Caluine censured the communion booke to conteyne many fooleries And in an other booke in this maner Examinat pag. 185. Caluiue Whoe was in maner of an Oracle of God to all churches that were reformed gaue this Censure of the englisâ— communion booke translated into latine to haue his iudgment of it that many foolish things Were in yt not that puritie which was to bee desired vvas to bee filed from the rust corrected and many things cleane taken avvay For Germanie the protestant Author of the Relation of the state of religion hath these words The princes and people in Germanie haue Caluinists Relation of Relig. â— 45. in greate detestation not for bearing to professe openly they vvill returne to the papacie rather then euer admitt that sacrameÌ„tarie predestinarie pestilence Therefore Catholicks may not communicate with their country protestants in their english seruice soe generally condemned both by themselues and all forreyne protestants Againe I argue thus Noe seruice or fashion of prayer and Sacraments that is by the practizers of them and those which in their IudgmeÌ„t agree with them in all materiall points condemned to haue grosse errors manifest impieties grosse and palpable repugnancie euen in necessarie and essentiall points of Religion misapplyeth scriptures to countenance errors is naught and may bee communicated with But the english protestant seruice and Booke thereof is such therefore not to bee communicated with The maior proposition is euidently true And the minor is thus proued by these protestants M. Ormerod recordeth the Censure of english protestants vppon it in these words The booke Ormerod dial 1. of common prayers and the vvhole order of protestants seruice is coÌ„demned And to shew that they which thus censured it were allowed teaâ—hers and preachers amonge them hee addeth Ormer pict purit d 3. thus in an other book preachers in their verball sermâ—nâ— speake against the state ecclesiasticall tâ—e â—ooke of common prayer and the Ceremonies of the church of England D. Couell â—eâ—â—â—eth Couell exaÌ„ pag 179. theiâ— sâ—â—â—eâ—ce thus The communion bookâ— is boldely despised grosse â—rrors and manifest impieties are in the communion booke The protestant author of Certaine Coâ—sidâ—rations writeth in this maner The protestant communion booke Cert Consider An 1605. p 10 11. 12. 13. 17 Suru pag. 20. 24. anâ— seruice is naught it hath grosse and palpable repugnancie in yt An other protestant writeth thus The communion Booke of England is not agreable to the word of God in many things The communion booke as it hath ministred matter of contention froâ— the first hatchinge of yt Soe it vvill euer bee the fuell of that fyer An other Abbridgm of luic dioc pag. 15. pag. 17. speaketh thus â—he booke of common prayer misapplyeth sondrie places of scripture and that to the mayntayninge of vnsound doctrine The booke of common prayer contayneth in yt sondry things besids them handled in the abbridgment beeing verâ— many that are contrarie to the vvord pag. 73. of God it appointeth sondrie things that tend directly to the prophanation of the holy sacraments either â—y prostituting them to vnvvorthie parsons or administring them vnreuereantly iâ— auoucheth sondrie manifest and apparant vntruthes pag. 74. it appointeth sondrie things that bringe greate disorder and confusion vnto the vvorship of God pag. 75. It conteynes sondrie things that are ridiculous and absurde and â—uch as noe â—reasonable sence can bee made of it conteyns in yt sâ—ndrie euideâ—t contradictions And to giue instance in the publicke preachers of london it selfe Twoe and tuentie of them haue ioyned together in this Censure of this their seruice published it in printin thes words Many things in the communion booke are Petit. of 2â— preachers of London repugnant to the word of God In the communion booke there bee things of which there is noe reasonable sence there is contradiction in yt euen in necessarie and essentiall points of Religion it conteyneth vntruthes in saith the Holy scripture is disgraced in yt it entoyneth vnlawfull Ceremontes conteyneth corrupt translations of holy scriptures misapplyeth places of holy scriptures to the countenance of errors Therfore not to bee communicated with The 9. particular protestant demonstration is Because these protestants by their owne testimonies and published writings are manifest and knowne dissemblers willfull deceauers seducers lyere and periured in matters of Religion CONCERNINGE the Religeous behauiour and maner of life and conuersation of these men doctors preachers and practisers of this new Religion I argue thus Noe men that are manifestly detected dissemblers periured foreswearens lyars and knowne deceauers in matters of Religion euen by the confession of themselues and their essentially agreinge frends are not to bee imitated in Religion but vtterly to bee auoided in such Communications But the english protestant preachers and teachers of Religion are in this condition Therefore not to bee followed but auoided in spirituall communications The maior proposition is euidently true for of all people manifest lyers forswearers and dissemblers with God and man are most to bee discredited and reiected in conuersation especially in religeous things The minor proposition is thus proued by these protestants The protesâ—ant author of the relation of Religion a man of greate creditt and â—â—thoritie in their church writeth thus protestant Relation of Râ—ligion cap. 32. writers in Relation of things haue abused this present age and preiudiced posteritie Louâ— and dislike hath sâ—e dâ—zeled their eyes that they cannot bee beleeued M. Oâ—merod hath these wordâ— It is true indeed there are â—arebraynd inconstant Ormer pagan pag. â—â— 57. and sickle headed amonge protesâ—anâ—â— that are much like vnto â—kebolius tâ—e Sophist of Constantinople whoâ— before Iulian was emperour caried â—imselfe as an earnest Christian vnder Iulian hee became an Apostata and a baganâ— aâ—d after Iulian he woulde bee a christian againe And suâ—h were their cheifest and prime protestants themselues as their Archbishop Cranmeâ— befoâ—e oweinge all dutie and obedience to God twiâ—e swearing yt to the pope to kinge Henry 8 kinge Edward 6 Queene Mary of diuers Religeons and yett hee was an hereticke to God and his church and a periured wretch to all those princes