22. He made the Apostles onely witnesses or preachers of this benefit of remission of sinnes And 4. Instit c. 11. § 1. For Christ gaue not this power properly to men but to his word whereof he madde men ministers Beza in Confess c. 5. sect 27. We must beleiue that nether They cannot properly binde or loose Pastors nor Doctors can properly binde or loose anie or open the kingdome of heauen to anie For it is proper to God alone to remit or retaine sinnes and indeed so proper as he communicateth this glorie with none at all Zanchius de Eccles c. 9. to 8. Power of forgiuing sinnes is not giuen properly to the Apostles themselues or to others but to their Ministerie or to the Ghospell For they do not properly forgiue sinnes but the Ghospell bringeth remission of sinnes to those that beleiue Daneus Cont. 4. c. 9. Christ gaue power of forgiuing sinnes to his Apostles as to Ministers that do onely declare his benefit towards faithfull men not as such that worke and effect the forgiuenesse of sinnes CONFERENCE OF THE FORESAIED WORDS Scripture expressely saieth that the keyes of the kingdome of heauen are giuen to pastours of the Church that what they loose or forgiue on earth is loosed or forgiuen in heauen that the Holie Ghost was giuen them that by vertue of him they might forgiue sinnes The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that God communicateth power of forgiuing sinnes to none at all that it is idolatrie to attribute this power to anie creature that Ministers of the Ghospell do not properly loose any that they forgiue not sinnes but onely declare it that they are onely witnesses declarers of this benefit that vertue of forgiuing sinnes is giuen to the Gospell not to men Which is so plainly against the Holie Scripture as some Protestants confesse it See lib. 2. c. 30. ART II. WHETHER WE MVST CONfesse our sinnes to men SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Iames 5. v. 16. Confesse your sinnes one to an other Sinnes are to be confessed to men Actes 19. v. 18. And manie of them that beleiued came confessing and declaring their deeds CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Councel of Trent Sess 14. Can. 6. If anie shall denie that Sacramentall Confession was instituted or is necessarie by Gods law be he accursed PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE French Confession art 14. Auricular Confession was forged Not to be confâ—ssed to men in Sathâ—ns shoppe It is a deuise of men Willet Controu 14. q. 6. p. 736. It is not necessarie to make confession at all to men Confessio Argentinensis c. 20. Nether Christ nor the Apostles would commana it Luther in Postilla Epiphaniae God requireth not this confession to men Serm. de 10. Leprosis tom 7. Confession of sinnes is forbidden Caluin in Refutat Cathalani The lawmade of auricular Law of confession diuelish confession is diuelish It is an intolerable corruption if you search into it from the beginning and foundation Iuel defens Apologie part 2. c. 6. diuis 1. Thus much onely we say That priuat confession to be made vnto the Minister is nether commanded by Christ nor necessarie to saluation THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely commandeth that we confesse our sinnes to men and telleth that the first Christians did confesse their sinnes That same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that it is not necessarie to confesse to men that nether Christ nor his Apostles commanded it that God requireth it not that it is forbidden is a diuelish law and deuise of man and of Sathan ART III. WHETHER GRACE BE GIVEN by Imposition of hands SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. 2. Tim. 1. v. 6. I admonish thee that thou resuscitate the grace Grace giuen by imposition of hands of God which is in thee by the imposition of my hands Actes 8. vers 18. And when Simon had seene that by the imposition of the handes of the Apostles the Holie Ghost was giuen he offered c. CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME Councel of Trent Sess 23. Can. 4. If anie shall say that by holie ordination the Holie Ghost is not giuen be he accursed Et ib. c. 3. saieth that by holie orders grace is giuen PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Caluin in 2. Tim. 1. ver 6. cit The question is whether grace Not giuen by imposition of hands were giuen by the externall signe of imposition of hands To which questioÌ„ I answere As often as Ministers were ordered they were commended to God by the praiers of the whole Church and by this means grace was obtained of God for them but not giuen them by vertue of that signe The same Caluin in Actor 8. v. 15. Luke here speaketh not of the common grace of the Spirit wherewith God doth regenerate vs for sonnes to himselfe but of especiall guifts In c. 6. v. 6. Hence we gather that imposition of hands sith it was vsed of the Apostles is a comelie and seemlie rite but yet hath not of it selfe any efficacie or vertue but the force and effect dependeth of God alone Beza Apologia altera cont Sainctem vol. 2. p. 325. In the Ministerie the ceremonie of imposition of hands doth not make a Minister as you verie ignorantly vse to vrge but testifieth to the Church that he is already made And l. quaest respons vol. 3. pag. 347. We must hould that there were neuer any Ministers of the Church made by imposition of hands but who had beene lawfully called to the Ministerie were so put as it were in possession of their function Of the same opinion are they who thinke that Imposition of hands is not necessarie to Ministers as Brentius in Apol. pro Confes Writemberg c. de ordine Herbrandus Disput 11. Beurlinus in Refutat Soti c. 67. Conciliabulum Parisiens An. 1565. artic 7. and much more they who forbidde imposition of hands as Pseudosynodus Dordracensis An. 1574. art 23. in these words The brethren concluded that Imposition of hands is to Imposition of hands forbidden be omitted THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that the grace of God and the Holie Ghost are giuen by Imposition of hands The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that grace is not giuen by imposition of hands that it hath no efficacie or vertue but that the effect is of God alone that by it pastours are not made yea that it is not necessarie to them but to be omitted ART IV. WHETHER HANDS BE TO BE imposed vpon them that haue beene baptized SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Act. 8. v. 16. and 17. For he Holie Ghost was not yet come Hands imposed vpon the baptized vpon anie of them but they were onely baptized in the name of our Lord Iesus Then did they impose their hands vpon them and they receaued the Holie Ghost Act. 19. v. 5. and 6. Hearing these things they were baptized in the name of our Lord Iesus and when Paul had imposed his hands on them the holie Ghost came vpon them CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME
all men because it is saied 1. Tim. 2. v. 6. One Mediator of God and men the man Iesus Christ they limite this to the elect faithfull Beza Epist 28. It is false that Christ is mediator also of the infidels In like sorte Hunnius de Iustif pag. 179. restraineth that saying Hebr. 5. ver 9. He was made to all that obey him cause of eternall saluation to obedience in faith If we proue that vnwritten traditions of faith are to be Touching Traditions beleiued because S. Paul saieth without limitation 2. Thessal 2. ver 15. Stand and hould the traditions which you haue learned whether it be by word or by our epistle they limite this to onely traditions of rites or ceremonies Whitaker Contr. 1. q. 6. cap. 10. Other Protestantes thinke that Paul speaketh of certaine externall matters and rites of no great moment Academia Nemaus Resp ad Tournon pag. 554. By the word Tradition in the Apostles writings is meant ether the application and right handling of doctrine or the appointing of rites and discipline If we proue that Christ committed all his sheepe to S. Touching S. Peter Peter because without anie limitation he saieth to him Ioan. 21. v. 17. Feed my sheepe Whitaker Cont. 1. q. 5. cap. 5. answereth Christ doth not say to Peter Feed all my sheepe but speaketh indefinitely And Beza ib. in vers 15. Must Gods word be thus profaned Surely Christ did not adde All and the difference betwixt vniuersall and indefinite propositions is well knowne As if Protestants did not as well limitate vniuersall propositions as indefinite as appeared in the former chapter Besides Daneus Contr. 3. p. 127. faithfull An indefinite What Protest say of an indefinite proposition proposition is equiualent to an vniuersall And Caluin in 1. Ioan. 3. v. 3. An indefinite speach is as much as an vniuâ—â—sall And 4. Instit c. 17. § 29. It is our parte whatsoeuer is absolutely spoake of Christ so to embrace as without exception that take place with vs which he would say If we proue that the Church is alwaies famous and visible Touching the Church because Isaie c. 2. v. 2. saieth without limitation of time And in the latter dayes the mountaine of the house of our Lord shall be prepared in the top of mountaines and shal be eleuated aboue the litle hilles and all nations shall flow vnto it Et c. 61. ver 9. And they shall know their seed in the Gentils and their budde in the middest of peoples And Miche 4. v. 8. And the remanent of Iacob shall be in the Gentils in the middest of manie peoples as a Lion amoÌ„g the beasts of the forest Whitaker Contr. 2. q. 2. c. 2. answereth The Prophets foretell that no kingdome shal be so glorious no cittie so ample no Empire so large as the Church shal be in the times of the Messias But we neuer read that the Lord hath promised that this maiestie and glorie of the Church shal be constant and perpetuall Et Morton in Apolog. part 1. l. 1. c. 13. The league is indeed perpetuall but this so admirable successe is not alwaies so vniuersall but in a manner peculiar to the age of the Apostles If we proue that the Pastors of the Church be alwaies visible because Christ saieth of them Math. 5. v. 15. A cittie cannot be hid situated vpon a mountaine Whitaker loc cit answereth Albeit Christ say that godlie Doctors and Pastors shall not be obscure nor escape the sight of men yet he saieth not that there shal be alwaies such Doctors which may be as visible as mountaines If we proue that the Church is the pillar of all trueth of faith because S. Paul 1. Timoth. 3. ver 15. without anie limitation calleth her the pillar and strength of trueth Whitake Contr. 2. q. 4. c. 2. answereth In this place is meant not simply all trueth but onely necessarie trueth And Vorstius in Antibel p. 143. The Apostle speaketh not of euerie trueth that howsoeuer pertaineth to religion but onely of holesome trueth or which is necessarie to saluation and that conditionally also to wit so long as she shall remayne the true Church of Christ If we proue that the Church is alwaies infallible in faith because without limitation to anie time she is called loc cit The pillar and strength of trueth P. Martyr in locis clas 4. c. 4. § 21. saieth I graunt She is indeed the pillar of trueth but not alwaies but when she relieth vpon the word of God Confessio Heluet. c. 17. She erreth not as long as she relieth vpon the rock Christ and the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Daneus Contr. 4. p. 717. The place of Paul speaketh of the visible Church which on earth is the keeper of heauenlie doctrine so long as she is true Bullinger Dec 4. Serm. 5. The Church erreth not so long as she heareth the voice of her Spouse and Pastor Herbrandus in Compend loc de Eccles She erreth not so long as she houldeth and followeth the word of God Of we proue that the Church is to be heard simply in all things because our Sauiour without anielimitation saieth Math. 18. v. 19. If he will not heare the Church let him be to thee as an Ethnik and Publican Whitaker lib. 1. de Scriptura c. 13. sect 1. answereth The Sonne of God himselfe commanded to heare the voice of the Church but not preaching anie thing but Scripture Herbrand loc cit saieth the Church is to be heard as long as she preacheth heauenlie and incorrupt doctrine Moulins in his Buckler p. 84. limitateth this speach of Christ to quarrels betwixt particular men and not to questions of religion The like saied Feild l. 4. de Eccles c. 4. and others If we proue that the Church in teaching cannot erre because Isaias saieth c. 59. v. 21. This is my couenant with them saieth our Lord My spirit is in thee and my words which I haue put in thy mouth shall not departe out of thy mouth and out of the mouth of thy seed and out of the mouth of thy seeds seed saieth our Lord from this present for euer Whitaker libr. 1. de Scriptura cap. 11. sect vlt. answereth This promise is not made to the teaching Church but to the whole Church that is to the elect If we proue that the militant Church is perpetuall because the Scripture saieth that Christs kingdome shal be perpetuall Daneus Contr. 4. p. 718. answereth All these places and the like properly pertaine to that Church which God shall gather in heauen not on earth If we proue that the visible Church is alwaies the true Church because she is called 1. Timoth 3. the pillar of trueth Daneus loc cit pag. 721. answereth Let him know that the visible Church then and so long is saied to be the true Church as long as the voice of heauenlie and Euangelicall trueth soundeth in her If we proue that the visible Church cannot
Church to the den of theues from the assured path of saluation to the open way of damnation Finally I aduertise the Reader that if at anie time I vse anie sharp words against Protestants I intend them onely against their teachers and leaders yet vse I the common name of Protestants that the rest may know that the crimes which I obiect vnto them proceed of their doctrin and thereby flie and reiect it lest they become partakers of the crimes I shew them the gulfe of impietie into which their guides doe lead them let them not be offended with me that I set before their eyes the impietie of the doctrin which they are tought but let them be angrie with their teachers who vnder the most false pretense of Scripture and Gods word haue thaught them such impious doctrin and so contrarie to Gods words And I hartely pray God and euer shal that he open their eyes that they may see the most imminent and greiuous danger wherein they stand and auoide it lighten with his true light that zeale which they haue to his word Rom. 10. lest they perish for euer with them who had zeale but not according to knowledge Whether Catholiks or Protestants be the true owners of the holie Scripture FIRST CHAPTER BECAVSE this question of the true owners How important this question is of the holie Scripture is of such moment as by it may be decided all controuersies as shall hereafter appeare and withall the decision thereof is so easie and cleare as euerie one may perceaue it and notwithstanding hath not as yet to my knowledge beene particularly handled of anie albeit as we shall see out of Tertullian it should haue beene handled before anie question of Scripture I will begin first with it And because Protestants auouch them selues to be the true owners of the Scripture I need not proue to them that ether Catholiks or they are the true owners thereof which the very question doth suppose but it will suffice against them that I shew that according to all reason Catholiks are to be iudged the true owners of Scripture rather then they The first proofe hereof I will take from the actuall The first title for Cathol actual possession possession of the Scripture in which Catholiks peacably were when Luther and the Protestants first began to chalenge the Scripture for theirs For reason teacheth vs to iudge the Possessor of anie thing to be the true owner of the same and possession to be a sufficient title of houlding it vnles the contrarie be manifestly proued and conuinced as we see dayly in lands and temporall goods and otherewise the dominion of things would be vncertaine amongst men Wherevpon the law teacheth the Possessor to plead possession as a sufficient title and to say possideo quia possideo I possesse because I possesse But Protestants can not manifestly disproue no nor yet colourably impugne the right of the Catholiks possession of the holie Scripture as shall hereafter appeare Therefore according to all reason Catholiks vpon this title of their possession are to be iudged true owners of the Scripture The second proof I will take from the Catholiks vndoubted Second title peacable possession possession thereof and vnquestioned by Protestants for manie ages That Protestants did not for manie ages call the Catholiks possessions of the Scripture into question is manifest by the manie and plaine confessions of Protestants that their Church was inuisible before Luther for manie ages which I haue related in my second booke of the Author of the Protestant Church c. 4. And reason teacheth vs to accounte him the true owner of a thing who without all question or clame of anie hath hould it peacably for manie ages together Wherevpon the law alloweth prescription of certaine yeares after which time expired it permitteth not the possession to be called in question Besides it is no way likelie that the true Church of God would suffer her self to be bereaued of so heauenlie a treasure as is the holie Scripture and yet not once in anie corner of the world for manie ages crie after the theefe or chalenge her treasure which she did see was held of others Will men euerie day venture their liues for sauing or recouering a little land or goods and would not the Church of God the onely true owner of the Scripture for manie ages once open her mouth to chalenge so heauenlie a treasure especially the Scripture being as Protestants teach the onely Martyr in disput oxon p. 143. Pareus Coll. Theol. 3. disp 2. externall infallible meane to attayne faith and as necessarie to the saluation of the Church as meate is to the life of man what care had the Church offo great a treasure left vnto here by Christ what account made she of faith and saluation if for manie ages she would not so much as chalenge the onely externall infallible and necessarie means to obtayne them Would the primitiue Church suffer so manie torments and cruell death as we read in the Ecclesiastical Historie rather then loose the holie Scriptures which the Heathens would haue taken from her and would she afterward suffer Papists to take it from her without muttering one word or laying clame to it for manie ages together Moreouer how had she faith how obtained she saluation if for maine ages she lost the onely externall infallible and necessarie meanes to obtayne them The third proof is that the Catholiks possession of the Scripture is farre more ancient then the Protestāts possession Third title ancientest possession thereof For euident it is that that Christian Church which is the first and ancientest possessor of the holie Scripture is the onely true owner of the same because the Apostles and Euangelists left their writings first and Qui prior est tempore potior est iure Reg. iuris onely to the true Church and gaue her the testament and last will of Christ her sponse so that the true Christrian Church had the Scripture before anie false Christian Church had it and likewise certaine it is that she neuer lost it since it was deliuered vnto her but as she is the pillar of truth so she hath faithfully kept this heauenly truth deliuered vnto her in writing and consequently is ancienter possessor of the Scripture then anie false Christian Church can be And this reason the ancient Christians vsed against Heretiks as appeareth by these words of Tertullian lib. de Praescript c. 37. It is my possession I possesse it of ould I possesse it first I am the herie of the Apostles And lib. 4. cont Mart. c. 4. I say my Bible is true Marcion saieth His. I say Marcions Bible is corrupted Marcion saieth Mine is corrupted what shall end our controuersie but order of time giuing authoritie to that which is found to be ancienter and reiecting that which is later For in that falsitie is a corruption of trueth trueth must needs be before falsitie
Ghospell or the new testament must haue beene tried by the ould See more art 6. CHAPTER VII OF THE PASTOVRS OF THE CHVRCH SCripture If my couuenant with the day can be made voide Pastours alwaies c. also my couuenant may be made voide with Dauid my seruant that there be not of him a sonne to reigne in his throne and Leuits and Preists my ministers Not alwaies Protestants It is false that the externall ministerie must be perpetuall The Church hath osten no man Pastour Some short time the Church may be depriued of Pastours See more art 7. Scripture Thou art Peter c. And to thee I will giue the Authoritie in the Pastours keyes of the kingdome of heauen Protestants The authoritie is not in the Prelats but in the Not in them worde the Church hath nothing but mere ministerie See more art 2. Scripture Thou art Peter c. and whatsoeuer thou shalt One pastor cā excōmunicate bind on earth it shal be bound also in heauen Protestants VVe must remember that this power of excommunicating One cannot is giuen to no one man but to the whole companie of the Presbiterie See more art 3. Scripture And he Paul walked through Syria and Silicia Pastours can make lawes confirming the Churches and commanding them to keepe the precepts of the Apostles and the Auncients Protestants The Church hath no power to make lawes See They can not more art 4. Scripture The Holie Ghost hath placed you Bishops to rule Pastors rulers of the Church Not rulers the Church of God Protestants The true nature of a ruler of the Church is in no pure man one or manie See art 5. Scripture You shal be called the preistes of the lord Pasters to be called preists Not to be so called Protestants Who administer the word and Sacraments amongst the people nether may nor ought to be called preists See more art 7. Scripture But how shall they preach vnles they be sent No preaching without mission Without mission Protestants Euen they who are not lawfully called may preach the word fruitfully Euerie Christian man hath authoritie to preach Christ in what place soeuer where they are desirous to heare See more art 8. Scripture Moises and Aaron in his preists Moises a preist No preist Protestants Moises did not exercise at all the preisthood but was onely a Prophet See more art 10. CHAPTER VIII OF THE CHVRCHE SCripture There shal be made one fould and one pastor Church but one onely Not one onely Protestants We say that there are twoe societies of men that is twoe Churches to the one belong the predestinate to the other the reprobate Christ and the things themselues teach vs that there are twoe Churches See more art 1. Scripture VVe are one bodie all that participate of one All those one bodie who participate one Sacramēt bread Protestants The godlie are no more ioyned in one bodie with Not all those the wicked then light with darkenes Christ with Belial See more art 2. Scripture The gates of hell shall not preuaile against her of Church can not faile It can faile his kingdome there shal be no end Protestants It is no meruaile though the Church be cleane fallen downe long agoe Antichrist had rooted out the Church euen from the ground Christes kingdome was cast flat downe See more art 4. Scripture You are the light of the world A cittie can not be Church can not be hidde hidde situated vpon a mountaine Protestants Often times God will haue no visible Church It can be hidde on earth The whole visible Church may faile See more art 5. Scripture Which is the Church of the liuing God the pillar Church is infallible and strenght of trueth Protestants The vniuersall Church may erre The Church Not infallible may erre The Catholik Church may erre and that most greeuously See more art 6. Scripture If he will not heare the Church let him be to thee Church simply to be heard Not simply to be heard as the Heathen and the Publican Protestants VVe must not simply receaue whatsoeuer the Church teacheth See more art 7. CHAPTER IX OF TEMPLES OR MATERIAL CHVRCHES SCripture Who Anna departed not from the temple by Churches for priuate praier fasting and praiers seruing day and right Protestants Churches are for preaching onely It is no lawfull Not for priuat praier end of Churches that the faithfull may priuatly pray in them See more art 1. Scripture Twoe Cherubins also thou shalt make of beaten Images to be set in Churches Not to be set in Churches gold on both sides of the oracle Protestants The Iewes had no manner Image nether painted not grauen in their temple God abhorreth images We must not suffer that Images be in Churches See more art 3. Scripture reporteth these words of a Heathen This Heathens thought idols to be Gods They thought not so Paule saieth that they are no Gods which be made by hands Protestants It is a lie that the Heathens did beleiue the Images of their Gods to haue beene their Gods them selues See more art 4. CHAPTER X. OF BAPTISME SCripture Vnlesse a man be borne againe of water and the Water necessarie to baptisme Not necessarie Spirit he can not enter into the kingdome of God Protestants Though water be wanting yet if the baptisme of one cannot be differred with edification I would baptize as well with anie other liquour as with water See more art 1. Scripture Going teach ye all nations baptizing them Baptisme cōmanded of Christ Not cōmanded of him c. Protestants Baptisme is of lesse importance then that the lord should haue greatly cammanded anie thing about it See more art 3. Scripture Vnlesse one be borne of water and the Holie Baptisme necessarie to saluation Not necessarie Simon Magus was baptized He was not baptized Baptisme profiteth all Not all Ghost he cannot inter into the kingdome of God Protestants Children who die before they be christened are not shut out of the kingdome of God See art 4. Scripture Then Simon Magus also himself belieued and being baptized he cleaned to Philippe Protestants That Simon Peter and Simon Magus receaued the same whole baptisme is most false See more art 5. Scripture As manie of you as haue beene baptized in Christ haue put on Christ Protestants Baptisme bringeth no commoditie to those that are not elect See more art 6. Scripture Christ loued the Church cleansing it by the lauer Baptisme purgeth sinne It purgeth not sinne of water in the worde Protestants VVho will say that we are cleansed by this water Doest thou thinke that water is the lauer of the soule No. Baptisme cannot wash away the filth of sinnes See more art 7. Scripture Be baptized and wash away thy sinnes Sinnes washed away by baptisme Not by baptisme All borne in in state of dānation Not all Protestants Paule
AFFIRME D. Stapleton Cont. 1. q. 2. art 1. The Catholik doctrine is that there is but one Church which we professe in our Creed and that she consisteth of the elect and reprobate PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Cont. 2. q. 1. c. 7. We say that the Church consisteth Reprobates not of the Church indeed not of reprobates but of onely predestinate Agayne A reprobate may seeme to be of the Church but he cannot be indeed of the Church And q. 5. c. 3. That is a false Church which consisteth of reprobates Rainalds in Apol. Thes p. 170. I determine that the elect alone are contained in the Church of the Creed M. Perkins de praedest tom 1. col 154. A reprobate is but in Onely in shew members of the Church shew onely a member of Christ Abbats in Diatribam Thomsoni c. 8. Reprobates are not reputed in the Church Caluin in 1. Ioan. 2. v. 19. Ihon plainly pronounceth that they Neuer members of the Church who falle away were neuer members of the Church Beza in Confes cap. 5. sect 8. As for the rest Beside the elect they are not be numbred among the members of the Church albeit they were Apostles Daneus Cont. 4. p. 689. The true Church of God containeth onely his elect Pareus Colloq Theol. 1. disput 12. The reprobate are not truely and indeed of the Church nor belonge vnto it before God Not truely of the Church Sadeel in Refutat Posnan c. 4. Reprobates pertaine not to the true Church And Musculus in the former article will not so much as the name of the Church to be bestowed vpon the reprobates THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely teacheth that those who are to be be cast out and to be burnt with vnquenchable fire that is reprobates are in the kingdome of heauen and in the flore of God that is in his Church Catholiks say the same Protestants expressely teach that reprobates are not in the Church not in the true Church not in the Church of the Creed not indeed not before Good that the Church the true Church containeth onely the elect that the re-reprobates onely in shew and apparence can be of the Church that they deserue not the name of the Church that she is a false Church which consisteth of the reprobates ART IV. WHETHER THE CHVRCH continueth euer SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Mathew 16. vers 18. Thou art Peter and vpon this rock Church inuincible will I build my Church and the gates of hell shall not preuaile against it Luke 1. v. 33. And he shall reigne in the house of Iacob for Shall haue no end euer and of his kingdome there shal be no end CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME D. Stapleton Cont. 1. q. 3. art 2. The Church of Christ continueth to the end of the world PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Apologie of the Church of England Longe agoe hath The whole Church cleane fallen downe the Bishop of Rome willed to haue the whole Church depend vpoÌ„ himselfe alone wherefore it is no meruaile though it be cleane fallen downe longe agoe Agayne When we likewise saw that all thinges were quite troden vnderfoote by these men and that nothing remained in the temple of God but pittifull spoiles and decaies we reckoned c. Cartwright in Whitgifts Defense p. 217. When Antichrist Rooted out from the ground had rooted out the Church euen from the ground c. Luther in c. 49. Genes tom 6 The Pope hath extinguished the Church Caluin cont Sadolet p. 132. The matter came to that passe that it was cleare and manifest both to the learned and vnlearned Christ kingdome flat downe that the true order of the Church theÌ„ perished Christs kingdome was cast flat downe when this principalitie of the Pope was erected Beza in Conf. c. 5. sect 29. But for that horrible tyranie of the Popedome which ouerthrew the whole Church and whicb almost alone doth stay her renewing we c. Daneus in l. Augustini de Haeres c. 95. About the yeare of our lord 574. arose this destruction plague and tyranie of the Rooted out from the foundation whole Church which after rooted out the kingdome of Christ from the foundation Chassanio l. 2. de Ecclesia p. 151. It is false That the Church shall neuer be broken of More of ther like sayings may be seene in my 2. booke of the Author of the Protestant religion c. 1. Where also c. 2. I haue refuted their euasions THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that the gates of hell shall not preâ—aile against the Church that there shal be no end of the kingdome of Christ The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that the whole Church was cleane fallen downe long agoe that nothing remained in the temple of God but pittifull spoiles decaies that the Church was rooted out from the ground the Church extinct the whole Church ouerthrowne the whole Church destroied that the kingdome of Christ was cast flat downe and rooted out from the foundation which are so contrarie to the Scripture as sometimes Protestants confesse no lesse See lib. 2. cap. 30. ART V. WHETHER THE CHVRCH BE alwaies visible SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Matth. 5. vers 15. Christ thus speaketh to his disciples or Church cannot be hiddeÌ„ Church You are the light of the world A cittie cannot be hidde situated vpon a mountaine And c. 18. v. 17. And if he will not heare them tell the Church And if he will not heare the Church let him be to thee as the Heathen and the Publican Isaie 62. v. 6. Vpon thy walles Hierusalem I haue appointed Wacth meÌ„ for euer in the Church wachmen all the day and all the night for euer they shall not hould their peace CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME D. Stapleton Cont. 1. q. 3. art 1. The Church which we are to beleiue must necessarily alwaies be visible There must alwaies be a visible Church PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Cont. 2. q. 2. c. 1. Their Papists opinion is that Militant Church inuisible the militant Church is alwaies visible But we teach that the whole Church that is the Catholik is inuisible not onely the triumphant parte but also the militant Et q. 4. c. 1. We confesse that there is alwaies on earth some number of them who piously worshippe Christ and hould the true faith and religion but we say that this member is not alwaies visible Their Papists opinion is that there is perpetually some visible Church on earth Caluin in Praefat. Instit Papists will haue the forme of the Church not apparent Church to be alwaies apparent and visible we on the contrarie affirme that the Church may consist of no apparent forme Et in Catechismo c. de fide She is not alwaies seene with eyes discerned by markes Daneus Cont. 4. l. 3. c. 12. Oftentimes God will haue some visible Oftentimes no visible Church Church on earth oftentimes none And l. 4. c. 8. The
true Church may some time faile to be visible Scarpe de Iustif Cont. 5. The members of the visible Church The whole visible Church may faile In the vttermost extent may faile yea the whole visible Church as such Vorstius in Antibellarm p. 136. Whence it followeth that the visible Church of Christ not onely in a great parte but euen whole taken in the vttermost extent may for sometime faile from the true faith and be wholy obscured Againe The externall Church of Christ may be obscured and faile More of their like sayings may be seene in my foresaied booke c. 4. THE CONFERENCE Scripture plainly teacheth that the Church of Christ cannot be hidden and biddeth vs to tell and heare her The same say Catholiks Protestants plainly teach that there is not alwaies a visible number of those who piously worshippe Christ that the Church may haue no apparent for me is not alwaies seene with eyes sometimes faileth to be visible that the whole visible Church as such may faile that the whole visible Church taken in her vttermost extent may faile from the faith that God oftentimes will haue no visible Church on earth Which are so opposite to Scripture as Protestants sometimes confesse it See l. 2. c. 30. ART VI. WHETHER THE CHVRCH be infallible in faith SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Isaie 59. vers vltim This is my couenant with them saieth Gods spirit euer in the mouth of the Church our Lord My spirit that is in thee and my words that I haue put in thy mouth shall not departe out of thy mouth and out of the mouth of thy seede and out of the mouth of thy seeds seede saieth our Lord from this present for euer Mathew 16. vers 18. And the gates of hell shall not preuaile Gates of hell preuaile not against her against it Ioan. 16. v. 13. But when the Spirit of trueth cometh he shall teach you all trueth 1. Tim. 3. ver 15. Which is the Church of the liuing God the The pillar of trueth pillar and ground of trueth CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME D. Stapleton Controu 4. qu. 2. art vnico The Church in her determinations of faith is euer must certaine and infallible PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Cont. 2. q. 4. cap. 3. God hath not promised to his The vniuersall Church may erre In necessarie matters The whole Church Church that she should not erre The vniuersall Church may erre The whole Church may erre It is euident that the true Church may for a time erre euen in necessarie matters Yea after Christs ascension and that descent of the Holie Ghost vpon the Apostles it is manifest that the whole Church did erre about the vocation of the Gentils and not onely the common sorte of Christians but euen the very Apostles and Doctors And quaest 5. cap. 17. The Church may for a time erre in some fundamentall points Beza de notis Eccles vol. 3. If some particular Church may erre euen in some principall head of Christian religion and yet leaue not therefore to be a true Church why may we not say the same of all particular Churches taken not onely seuerally but all together for this is the Catholik Church And the margēt The Catholik Church and in fundamentall points The whole Churrh saieth Some errors may creepe into the Church euen in some fundamentall head of saith Daneus Controu 4. l. 3. c. 17. The whole Church all Pastors generally may erre The whole Church may be deceaued slippe and erre Author Resp ad Theses Vademont p. 503. The Catholik And grieuously Church may erre and that sometimes most grieuously The like they teach commonly THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely teacheth that Gods spirit and his word shall neuer departe from the mouth of the Church that the gates of hell shall not preuaile against her that the Holie Ghost teacheth her all trueth that she is the pillar and ground of trueth Catholiks say the same Protestants expressely teach that the Church the true Church the vniuersall Church the whole Church may erre most grieuously and in some fundamentall and necessarie matters that the whole Apostolik Church euen after the descent of the Holie Ghost did erre Which is so repugnant to holie Scripture as sometimes Protestants confesse it See lib. 2. c. 30. ART VII WHETHER THE CHVRCH be to be heard simply in all things SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Matth. 18. v. 17. If he will not heare the Church let him be Church simply to be heard to the as the Heathen and the Publican Luc. 10. v. 16. Who heareth you heareth me and who despiseth you despiseth me CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME D. Stapleton Cont. 4. q. 2. art 3. We must simply and absolutely obey the voice of the Church in doctrine of faith PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Cont. 1. q. 3. c. 3. We must not simply receaue whatsoeuer Not simply to be heard the Church teacheth but whatsoeuer she is commanded of God to teach and proueth by Gods authoritie And q. 5. c. 5. The Church is to be heard not simply in all her sayinges decrees sentences and commandments The same he hath Cont. 2. q. 4. c. 2. and l. 1. de Scriptura c. 11. Bucanus in Inst Theol. loco 43. Must we simply heare the voice of the Church and receaue whatsoeuer she teacheth No. Reineccius to 4. Armat c. 3. We must beleiue the Church in Not simply to be beleiued all things not taken simply and absolutely but relatiuely and with condition as farre as according to Scripture and out of that she proposeth diuine trueth THE CONFERENCE Scripture simply and absolutely biddeth vs to heare the Church and saieth that who heareth her heareth Christ The same say Catholiks Protestants denie that she is simply to be heard or obeyed ART VIII WHETHER TRVETH IN respect of vs do relie vpon the Church SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. 1. Timoth. 3. ver 15. Which is the Church of the liuing God Church the pillar of trueth the pillar and ground of trueth CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME D. Stapleton Controu 4. quaest 2. artic vnico The Church according to the ordinarie course is for faithfull men the pillar of all reuealed trueth and for faith it selfe the ground For the faitfull relie vpon the teaching of the Church as an vnmouable pillar PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Contru 2. q. 4. c. 2. The trueth of faith doth not Not pillar in regard of vs. relie vpon the Church as a foundation no not in regard of vs. Trueth doth not relie vpon the authoritie of the Church Againe If the trueth of faith did relie vpon the authoritie of the Church in respect of vs who then c. Bucer in Disp Cantabrig It is manifest enough that no Sustaineth not trueth Church is to be termed the pillar and ground of trueth as if she did sustaine and conserue trueth Melancthon in locis c. de Signis Eccles to 3. Faith doth not relie wpon the
that the lawe coÌ„mandeth onely the wicked that that being iustified all lawes cease that the lawe compelleth no more that we are not buÌ„od with the lawe that Christ hath abrogated all lawes that that the lawe is not giuen to the iust in anie vse that no lawe bindeth anie more Which is so contrarie to Scripture as some Protestants confesse it See lib. 2. c. 30. THE SVMME OF THIS CHAPTER of Gods lawe By what hath beene reported in this Chapter clearely appeareth that Protestants teach quite contrarie to the holie Scripture concerning Gods lawe For the Scripture together with Catholiks teacheth that Gods lawe is possible that some kept it that some haue loued God in all their harte that Gods lawe is in the harte of some that we pray to fulfill it that the keeping of it is necessarie to saluation and that the morall lawe of the ten coÌ„mandments is not taken away from the faithfull all which Protestants denie By the same also appeareth that the Protestants also in this matter play the theeues For they take from Gods lawe that it is possible that it hath beene kept of anie that it is in the hartes of anie that it is necessarie to saluation and that it obligeth the faithfull CHAPTER XIX OF MANS LAVV AND SVPERIORITIE ART I. WHETHER THERE BE ANIE Superioritie among Christians SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. PROVERB 8. vers s 15. By me Kings do reigne Math. 24. v. 45. Who thinkest thou is a faithfull Christ appointed some ouer his familie All power is of God wise seruant whome his Lord hath appointed ouer his familie Rom. 13. v. 1. Let euerie soule be subiect to higher powers for there is no power but of God Tite 3. v. 1. Admonish them to be subiect to Princes and Potestates Hebr. 13. v. 17. Obey your Prelats and be subiect to them Subiect to Prelats and Princes Act. 2. v. 28. The Holie Ghost hath placed you Bishops to rule the Church of God CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME C. Bellarm. l. 3. de Laicis c. 3. The Prophets foretould that all the Kings of the earth should serue Christ and the Church which cannot be vnlesse there be Kings in the Church PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Luther l. de saeculari potestate apud Coccium tom 1. l. 7. No Superioritie among Christians A Christian subiect to none art 1. Among Christians there can be no superioritie De libertate Christiana to 2. f. 3. A Christian man is the most freest Lord of all subiect to none De votis ibib fol. 270. Christ hath giueÌ„ me so much libertie that I man subiect to none but to himselfe onely Christ is my immediate Lord I know no other anie more In 1. Petri c. 2. to 5. f. 462. Christ hath coÌ„mitted the badde to profane power for to gouerne theÌ„ as they ought to be gouerned the good that is those who beleiue he hath reserued to himselfe whome he gouerneth by his word onely CONFERENCE OF THE FORESAIED WORDS Scripture expressely saieth that Kings reigne by God that we must obey the higher powers that we must be subiest to Princes and Prelats and to rulers of the Church The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that there is no superioritie among Christians that a Christian is subiect to none vnder none but Christ that Christ is his immediate Lord and that he knoweth no other ART II. WHETHER MAN HAVE AVthoritie to make lawes SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Act. 15. v. 29. It hath seemed good to the Holie Ghost and to The Apostles made lawes vs to lay no further burde vpon you then these necessarie things That you abstaine from things immolated to idols and blood and that which is strangled Ibid. v. 41. Paul walked through Syria and Cilicia confirming the Churches commanding them to keepe the precepts of the Apostles and the Ancients 1. Cor. 7. vers 12. For to the rest I say not our Lord If anie Also S. Paul brother haue a wife an infidel and she consent to dwel with him let him not put her away CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME D. Stapleton in Act. 15. v. 28. The Church can impose temporall lawes as precepts for some good end to wit to keepe peace in the Church which binde the faithfull in conscience and before God to obey them PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Confession of Basle art 10. None can forbidde that which None can forbidde that which Christ forbade not God alone caÌ„ make lawes Christ hath not forbidde Lutherl cont R. Angliae to 2. f. 346. The power of making lawes belonges to God alone De Captiu Babyl fol. 77. Nether men nor Angels can by anie right impose anie lawe vpon Christians but as they will themselues Caluin 4. Instit c. 10. § 7. We heare that God chalengeth God onely a lawgiuer this as proper to himselfe alone to gouerne vs by the command of his word and by lawes Ibid. § 8. If God be the onely lawgiuer men must not take this authoritie vpon them In Iacobi 4. v. 12. They draw to themselues all the maiestie of God who chalenge authoritie to make lawes THE CONFERENCE Scripture expressely saieth that the Apostles had authoritie to impose necessarie burdens and to command that which Christ had not commanded to command their precepâ—s to be kept and to make lawes for married persons The same say Catholiks Protestants expressely say that none can forbidde that which Christ hath not forbidde that the power of making lawes is proper to God alone that no lawe can be imposed vpon Christians but as they will themselues ART III. WHETHER MANS LAW CAN binde the conscience SCRIPTVRE EXPRESSELY AFFIRMETH. Rom. 13. v. 2. Who resisteth the power resisteth the ordinaÌ„ce Mans lawe can binde conscience of God and they that resist purchase to themselues damnation v. 5. Therefore be subiect of necessitie not onely for wrath but also for conscience sake CATHOLIKS EXPRESSELY AFFIRME D. Stapleton in Rom. 13. v. 1. The breach of humane lawes offendeth also God The verie consciences of the faithfull are bound with ciuill lawes PROTESTANTS EXPRESSELY DENIE Whitaker Contr. 4. quaest 7. c. 1. We say that the lawes of Princes lawes bind not conscience Princes binde not the conscience for this is proper to God lib. 8. cont Dur. sect 103 Who impose lawes vpon the conscience chalenge power of sauing and destroying and robbe God of his right The lawes of Magistrates haue no power ouer the conscience Perkins in Anatomia Conscientiae tom 1. col 1215. We Conscience subiect to no mans lawe acknowledge no subiection at all of the conscience to mens lawes In Galat. 5. tom 2. col 258. The Magistrates lawe maketh a thing necessarie externally Neuerthelesse the thing in it selfe is not made necessarie but remaineth indifferent and you may vse it or not if you auoide contempt or scandall Luther in 1. Petri c. 2. tom 5. f. 464. The Magistrate cannot binde the conscience De seruo arbit to 2. fol. 431.
If we proue that God doth now cleanse vs from all iniquitie because it is saied 1. Ioan. 1. v. 19. He is faithfull and iust to forgiue vs our sinnes and cleanse vs from all iniquitie Caluin ib. answereth If anie obiect that whilest we liue in this life we are neuer cleansed from all iniustice for so much as belongeth to reformation that is true indeed but Ihon teacheth not what God doth now perfect in vs. If we proue that in this life some are made iust by the merits of Christ as by Adams demerit they were made iniust by these words Rom. 5. v. 19. As by the disobedience of one man manie were made sinners so also by the obedience of one manie shal be made iust Pareus l. 2. de Iustificat cap. 3. answereth In this life we are made iust imperfectly in the next we shal be made perfectly iust Hereupon perchaunce Luther saied Disput 3. tom 1. We thinke that a man to be iustified is not to be yet iust but to be in the way and course to iustice If we proue that faith without workes is alwaies dead because it is saied Iames 2. vers vlt. Faith without workes is dead Schlusselburg to 8. Catal. p. 526. answereth The saying of Iames touching faith dead without workes is to be vnderstood of ehe time after iustification So that he will not haue faith to be dead without good workes whilest it iustifieth If we proue that God alwaies will all men to be saued by those words 1. Tim. 2. Who will all men to be saued Perkins in Cases of Conscience cap. 7. sect 3. answereth God will all men to be saued vnderstand now in this last age of the world If we proue that Saintes in heauen aske mercie for the faithfull because they aske reuenge vpon their persecutors by those words Apocal. 6. vers 9 I saw vnder the aultar the soules of them that were slanie for the word of God c. and they cried with a loud voice saying How long Lord holie and true iudgâ—st thou not and reuengest not our blood on them that dwell on the earth Confessio Wittember c. de Inuocat Sanctorum vnderstandeth this onely of praiers made whiles the Saints were on earth In the Apocalypse the soules of the Saints that were slaine do crie that their blood be reuenged not that now resting in the Lord they are desirous of reuenge after a humane manner but because the Lord euen after their death is myndfull of the praiers which whiles they yet liued on earth the made for the deliuerie of themselues and the Church If we proue that in this life we fulfill the law doe the will of God and obey Christ by those words Rom. 8. v. 4 God sent his Sonne c. that the iustification of the law might be fullfilled in vs. Et Math. 6. Thy will be done on earth And Hebr. 5. vers 9. Christ is made the cause of saluation to all that obey him Scharpius de Iustif Contr. 12. answereth Out of these places nothing followeth but that the faithfull fulfill the law but it followeth not that they fulfill it in this life Wherefore I thus make my fourtenth argument Who besides the foresaied opposition to the expresse words of Scripture will not expound the words of Scripture on that time whereof it speaketh do contradict the true sense thereof Protestants doe so Therefore c. CHAPTER XV. THAT PROTESTANTS OF MANIE sayings of Scripture make one MY fiftenth argument shal be because Protestants are forced to confound manie sayings of Scripture in one and so make one of manie For if we proue that God will not the death of a sinner but willeth his conuersion by those words Ezechiel 18. I will not the death of a sinner but that he be conuerted and liue Caluin l. de Praedest pag. 706. answereth If as we ought to doe those twoe be read ioyntly I will that a sinner which is conuerted liue the cauill is easily refuted The some hath Beza 2 part resp ad Acta Montisbel p. 196. If we proue that God would haue al to be saued and come to the knowledge of the trueth because it is so saied 1. Tim. 2. v. 4. Beza lib. quaest respons vol. 1. Theol. p. 684. saieth Those twoe To saue and to come to the knowledge of trueth are to be ioyned that so God may be vnderstood to will that they be saued whome he will haue to come to the knowledge of the trueth So also he answereth in Respons ad Acta Montisb p. 194. And there p. 196. in the same sorte expoundeth that Ezech. 18. I will not the death of a sinner but that be conuerted If we proue that Christs baptisme was different from S. Ihons because Actor 19. S. Luke telleth that some who haue beene baptized with S. Ihons baptisme were baptized againe of S. Paul Beza ib. ver 5. saieth that these are not the words of S. Luke telling who were baptized of S. Paul but of S. Paul telling what was the baptisme of Saint Ihon. Caluin l cont Anabap. p. 415. saieth There is saied that Paul baptized them in the name of Christ then to explicate what this meaneth is added that he laied hands vpon them and the holie Ghost descended Wherefore the same thing is diuersely expressed by twoe wayes as the Scripture vseth Et 4. Inst c. 15. § 18. Luke doth not tell twoe different things but keepeth the forme of relating vsed of the Hebrews who first set downe the summe of the matter and after explane it more at large If we proue that we must be borne againe both of water and of the holie Ghost by these words Ioan. 3. v. 5. Vnlesse one be borne againe of water and the holie Ghost c. Caluin ib. answereth It is one simple sentence that we must be borne a new for to be Gods children and that of this second birth the holie Ghost is author Therefore he put water and Spirit for the same thing And in this manner they confound manie things which the Scripture distinguisheth and say that ether they be Synonimies or that one exegetically expoundeth the other Wherefore this is my 15. argument Who besides the foresaied opposition to the expresse words of Scripture are compelled to confound manie different sayings of the Scripture in one those are also opposite to the true meaning of the holie Scripture Protestants doe so Therefore c. And hitherto we haue seene how manie and what kind of Propositions of Scripture almost in all kinds of controuersies Protestants doe change and depraue and that no kind of speach can be so plaine strong and forcible as it can recall them from their errours but that they break through delude depraue all Now let vs see how they deale will the wordes of Scripture For as Tertullian saieth cont Hermogenen It is the Heretiks custome to wreste all simple words CHAPTER XVI THAT WORDS OF SCRIPTVRE WHICH signifie the working or doing of a thing