✠verse 5 So Christ also ″ did not glorifie him self that he might be made a high priest but he that spake to him My Sonne art thou I this day haue begotteÌ„ thee ✠verse 6 As also in an other place he saith Thou art ″ a priest for euer according to the order of Melchisedec ⊢ ✠verse 7 Vvho in the daies of his flesh ″ vvith a strong crie and teares offering praiers and supplications to him that could faâ—e him from death vvas heard ″ for his reuerence ⊢ ✠verse 8 And truely vvhereas he was the Sonne he learned by those things vvhich he suffered obedience ✠verse 9 and being consummate ″ vvas made to al that obey him cause of eternal saluation ✠verse 10 called of God a high priest according to the order of Melchisedec ✠verse 11 Of vvhome vve haue great speache and ″ inexplicable to vtter because you are become vveake to heare ✠verse 12 For vvhereas you ought to be maisters for your time you neede to be taught againe your selues vvhat be the elements of the beginning of the vvordes of God and you are become such as haue neede of milke not of strong meate ✠verse 13 For euery one that is partaker of milke is vnskilful of the vvord of iustice for he is a childe ✠verse 14 But strong meate is for the perfect them that by custome haue their senses exercised to the discerning of good euil ANNOTATIONS CHAP. V. 1. Euery high Priest By the description of a Priest or high Priest for to this purpose al is one matter he proueth Christ to be one in most excellent sort First then a Priest must not be an Angel or of any other nature but mans Secondly euery man is not a Priest but such an one as is specially chosen out of the rest and preferred before other of the community seuered assumpted and exalted into a higher state and dignitie then the vulgar Thirdly the cause and purpose vvhy he is so sequestred and piked out from the residue is to take charge of Diuine things to deale as a mediator betvvixt God and the people to be the Deputie of men in such things as they haue to craue or to receiue of God and to present or giue to him againe Fourthly the most proper and principal part of a Priests office is to offer oblations giftes and sacrifices to God for the sinnes of the people vvithout vvhich kind of most soueraine dueties no person people or Commonvvealth can appertaine to God and vvhich can be done by none of vvhat other dignitie or calling soeuer he be in the vvorld that is not a Priest diuers Princes as vve read in the Scriptures punished by God and king Saul deposed from his kingdom specially for attempting the same And generally vve may learne here that in ijs qua sunt ad Deum in an matters touching God his seruice and religion the Priest hath onely charge and authority as the Prince temporal is the peoples gouernour guider and so retaine in the things touching their vvorldly affaires Vvhich must for al that by him be directed and manneged no othervvise but as is agreable to the due vvorship and seruice of God against vvhich if the terrene Povvers commit any thing the Priests ought to admonish them from God Vve learne also hereby that euery one is not a Priest and that the people must alvvaies haue certaine persons chosen out from among them to deale in their sutes and causes vvith God to pray to minister Sacraments and to sacrifice for them And vvhereas the Protestants vvil haue no Priest Priesthod nor sacrifice but Christ and his death pretending these vvordes of the Apostle to be verified onely in the Priesthod and Seruice of the old lavv and Christes person alone and after him of no moe therein they shevv them selues to be ignorant of the Scriptures and of the state of the nevv Testament and induce a plaine Atheisme and Godlesnesse into the vvorld for so long as man hath to doe vvith God there must needes be some deputed and chosen out from among the rest to deale according to this declaration of the Apostle in things pertaining to God and those must be Priests for els if men neede to deale no more but immediatly vvith Christ vvhat doe they vvith their Ministers Vvhy let they not euery man pray and minister for him self and to him self Vvhat doe they vvith Sacraments seing Christes death is as vvel sufficient vvithout them as vvithout sacrifice Vvhy standeth not his death as vvel vvith Sacrifice as vvith Sacraments as vvel vvith Priesthod as vvith other Ecclesiastical functioÌ„ There is no other cause in the vvorld but that Sacrifice being the most principal act of religion that man ovveth to God both by his Lavv and by the lavv of nature the Diuel by these his ministers vnder pretence of deferring or artributing the more to Christes death vvould abolish it This definition of a Priest and his function vvith al the properties thereto belonging holdeth not onely in the lavv of Moyses and order of Aarons Priesthod but it vvas true before in the lavv of nature in the Patriarches in Melchisedec and novv in Christ and all his Apostles and Priests of the nevv Testament sauing that it is a peculiar excellencie in Christ that he onely offered for other mens sinnes and not at all for his ovvne as all other doe 4. Taketh to him self A special prouiso for all Priests preachers and such as haue to deale for the people in things pertaining to God that they take not that honour or office at their ovvne hands but by lavvful calling and consecration euen as Aaron did By vvhich clause if you examine Luther Caluin Beza and the like or if al such as novv a daies intrude them selues into sacred functions looke into their consciences great and foul matter of damnation vvil appeare 5. Did not glorifie him self The dignity of Priesthod must needes be passing high and soueraine vvhen it vvas a promotion and pereferment in the sonne of God him self according to his manhod and vvhen he vvould not vsurpe nor take vpon him the same vvithout his fathers expresse commission and calling therevnto An eternal example of humility and an argument of condemnation to al mortal men that arrogate vniustly any function or povver spiritual that is not giuen them from aboue and by lavvful calling and commission of their superiors 6. A Priest for euer In the 109 Psalme from vvhence this testimonie is taken both Christes kingdom and Priesthod are set fourth but the Apostle vrgeth specially his Priesthod as the more excellent and preeminent state in him our Redemption being vrought atchieued by sacrifice vvhich vvas an act of his Priesthod and not of his kingly povver though he vvas properly a king also as Melchisedec vvas both Priest and king being a resemblance of Christ in both but much more in his
the dead othervvise it is yet of no value vvhiles he that tested liueth ✠verse 18 Vvherevpon neither vvas the first certes dedicated vvithout bloud ✠verse 19 For al the commaundement of the Lavv being read of Moyses to al the people he taking the bloud of calues and goates vvith vvater and scarlet vvool and hyssope sprinkled the very booke also it self and al the people ✠verse 20 saying * ″ This is the bloud of the Testament vvhich God hath commaunded vnto you ✠verse 21 The tabernacle also al the vessel of the ministerie he in like maner sprinkled with bloud ✠verse 22 And al things almost according to the lavv are cleansed with bloud and vvithout sheading of bloud there is not remission ✠verse 23 It is necessarie therfore that ″ the examplers of the coelestials be cleansed vvith these but the celestials them selues vvith better hostes then these ✠verse 24 For IESVS is not entred into Holies made vvith hand examplers of the true but into heauen it self that he may appeare novv to the countenance of God for vs. ✠verse 25 Nor that he should ″ offer him self often as the high priest entereth into the Holies euery yere in the bloud of others ✠verse 26 othervvise he ought to haue suffered often from the beginning of the vvorld but novv once in the cōsummation of the vvorldes to the destructiō of sinne he hath appeared by his ovvne host ✠verse 27 And as it is appointed to men to die once and after this the iudgement ✠verse 28 so also Christ vvas offered once to exhaust the sinnes of many the second time he shal appeare vvithout sinne to them that expect him vnto saluation ANNOTATIONS CHAP. IX 4. A golden potte The Protestants count it superstitious to keepe vvith honour and reuerence the holy memories or monuments of Gods benefites and miracles or the tokens of Christes Passion as his Crosse garments or other things appertaining to him or his Saincts and thinke it impossible that such things should dure so long vvhen they may here see the reuerent and long reseruation of Manna vvhich of it self vvas most apt to putrifie and of Aarons rodde onely for that it sodenly florished by miracle the tables of the Testament c. See a notable place in S. Cyril li. 6 cont Iulian. vvhere he defendeth against Iulian the Apostataes blasphemie he keeping and honouring of that Crosse or vvood vvhich Christ died on See also S. Paulinus ep 11. and vvhat reuerence S. Hierom and the faithful of his time did to the sepulchres of Christ and his Martyrs and to their relikes We reuerence and vvorship saith he euery vvhere Martyrs sepulchres and putting the holy ashes to our eies if vve may vve touch it vvith our mouth also and do some thinke that the monument vvherein our Lord vvas buried it to be neglected But our Protestant can not skill of this they had rather folovv Vigilantius Iulianus the Apostata and such Maisters then the holy Doctors and euident practise of the Church is al ages 5. Cherubins You see it is a fond thing to conclude vpon the first or second commaundement that there should be no sacred images in the Church vvhen euen among these people that vvere most prone to idolatrie and grosse in imagination of spiritual things such as Angels are and to vvhom the precept vvas specially giuen the same God that forbade them grauen idols did commaund these images of Angels to be made and set in the soueraine holiest place of al the Tabernacle or Temple By vvhich it is plaine that much more the images of Christ and his B. mother and Saincts that may be more truely pourtered then mere spiritual substances can be are not contrarie to Gods cōmaundement nor against his honour or repugnant to any other Scripture at all vvhich condemne onely the Idols or pourtraitures of the Heathen made for adoration of false Gods 10. Vntil the time of correction Al those grosse and carnal sacrifices ceremonies and obseruations instituted to cleanse and purifie the flesh from legal irregularities and impurities onely and not reaching to the purging of the soules consciences of men being commaunded not for euer but till Christes comming ceased then and better more forcible and more spiritual Sacraments vvere instituted in their place For vve may not imagine Christ to haue taken avvay the old and put none in their places or to alter the sacraments onely into other sacraments external and not also to translate the sacrifices to some other more excellent for it is called tempus correctionis non abolitionis sacrificij aut legis the time of correction not of abolishing sacrifice or lavv Neither haue they more reason to affirme Christes one oblation vpon the Crosse to haue rather taken avvay al kind of sacrifice then al manner of Sacraments The time and state of the nevv Testament is not made lavvlesse hostlesse or vvithout sacrifice but it is the time of correction or reformation and abettering al the foresaid things 12. Eternal redemption No one of the sacrifices nor al the sacrifices of the old lavv could make that one general price ransom and redemption of all mankind and of al sinnes sauing this one highest Priest Christ and the one sacrifice of his bloud once offered vpon the Crosse Vvhich sacrifice of redemption can not be often done because Christ could not die but once though the figures also thereof in the lavv of nature and of Moyses vvere truely called sacrifices as specially this high and maruelous commemoration of the same in the holy Sacrament of the altar according to the rite of the nevv Testament is most truely and sigularly as S. Augustine calleth it a sacrifice But neither this sort nor the other of the old lavv being often repeated and done by many Priests al vvhich vvere and are sinners them selues could be the general redeeming and consummating sacrifice nor any one of those Priests nor al the Priests together either of the lavv of Nature or of Aarons or Melchisedecks order except Christ alone coulde be the general redeemers of the vvorld And this is the Apostles meaning in al this comparison and opposition of Christes death to the old sacrifices and of Christ to their Priests and not that Christes death or sacrifice of the Crosse should take avvay al sacrifices or proue that those Aaronical offices vvere no true sacrifices at al nor those Priests verily Priests They vvere true Priests true sacrifices though none of those sacrifices vvere the high capital and general sacrifice of our price and redemption nor none of them or of those Priests could vvithout respect to this one sacrifice of Christes death vvorke any thing to Gods honour or remission of sinnes as the Ievves did falsely imagine not referring them at al to this general redemption and remission by Christ but thinking them to be absolute sacrifices in them selues
but by Christes warrant and authoritie and by such as he hath placed to rule his Church of whom he saith He that heareth you heareth me he that despiseth you despiseth me They are made by the Holy Ghost ioyning with our Pastors in the regiment of the faithful they are made by our Mother the Church which whosoeuer obieth not we are warned to take him as an Heathen But on the other side al lawes doctrines seruice and iniunctions of Heretikes how soeuer pretended to be consonant to the Scriptures be commaundements of men because both the things by them prescribed are impious and the Authors haue neither sending nor commission from God 11. Not that which entereth The Catholikes doe not abstaine from certaine meates for that they esteeme any meate vncleane either by creation or by Iudaical obseruation but they abstaine for chastisment of their concupiscences Aug. li. de mor. Ec. Cath. c. 33. 18. Defile a man It is sinne only which properly defileth man and meates of them selfe or of their owne nature doe not defile but so farre as by accident they make a man to sinne as the disobedience of Gods commaundement or of our Superiours who forbid some meates for certaine times and causes is a sinne As the apple which our first parents did eate of though of it self it did not defile them yet being eaten against the precept it did defile So neither flesh nor fish of it self doth defile but the breach of the Churches precept defileth CHAP. XVI The obstinate Pharisees and Sadducees as though his foresaid miracles were not sufficient to proue him to be Christ require to see some one from heauen 5 Wherevpon forsaking them he warneth his disciples to beware of the leauen of their doctrine 〈◊〉 and Peter the time now approching for him to goe into lewrie to his Passion for confessing him to be Christ he maketh the Rocke of his Churche geuing fulnes of Ecclesiastical power accordingly 21 And after he so rebuketh him fordissuading his Crosse and Passion that he also affirmeth the like suffering in euery one to be necessarie to sâ—luation verse 1 AND there came to him the Pharisees and Sadducees tempting and they demaunded him to shevv them a signe from heauen ✠verse 2 But he ansvvered said to them when it is euening you say It vvil be faire-vvether for the elemeÌ„t is redde ✠verse 3 And in the morning This day there vvil be a teÌ„pest for the element doth glovve and lovvre The face therfore of the element you haue skil to discerne and the signes of times can you not ✠verse 4 The * naughtie and aduouterous generation seeketh for a signe and there shal not a signe be giuen it but the signe of Ionas the Prophet And he left them and vvent avvay ✠verse 5 And * vvhen his disciples vvere come ouer the vvater they forgot to take bread ✠verse 6 Who said to them Looke vvel and bevvare of the leauen of the Pharisees Sadduces ✠verse 7 But they thought vvithin them selues saying Because vve tooke not bread ✠verse 8 And IESVS knovving it said why do you thinke vvithin your selues O ye of litle faith for that you haue not bread ✠verse 9 Do you not yet vnderstand neither do you remember * the fiue loaues among fiue thousand men and how many baskets you tooke vp ✠verse 10 neither the * seuen loaues among foure thousand men and hovv many maundes you tooke vp ✠verse 11 Why do you not vnderstand that I said not of bread to you Bevvare of the leauen of the Pharisees Sadducees ✠verse 12 Then they vnderstoode that he said not they should bevvare of the leauen of bread but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees ✠verse 13 And * IESVS came into the quarters of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples saying ″ whom say men that the Sonne of man is ✠verse 14 But ″ they said Some Iohn the Baptist othersome Elias and others Hieremie or one of the Prophets ✠verse 15 IESVS saith to them But vvhom do you say that I am ✠verse 16 Simon Peter ansvvered said Thou art Christ the sonne of the liuing God ✠verse 17 And IESVS ansvvering said to him ″ Blessed art thou Simon bar-Iona because flesh bloud hath not reuealed it to thee but my father vvhich is in heauen ✠verse 18 And ″ I say to thee That ″ thou art * Peter and ″ vpon this ″ Rocke vvil I ″ build my Church and the ″ gates of hel shal not preuaile against it ✠verse 19 And I * vvil giue ″ to thee the ″ keies of the kingdom of heauen And ″ vvhatsoeuer thou shalt binde vpon earth it shal be bound also in the heauens and vvhatsoeuer thou shalt loose in earth it shall be loosed also in the heauens ⊢ ✠verse 20 Then he commaunded his disciples that they should tel no body that he vvas IESVS CHRIST ✠verse 21 From that time IESVS began to shevv his disciples that he must goe to Hierusalem suffer many things of the Ancients Scribes cheefe-Priestes and be killed and the third day rise againe ✠verse 22 And Peter taking him vnto him began to rebuke him saying Lord be it farre from thee this shal not be vnto thee ✠verse 23 Who turning said to Peter Goe after me Satan thou art a scandal vnto me because thou sauourest not the things that are of God but the things that are of men ✠verse 24 Then IESVS said to his disciples If any man wil come after me let him denie him self and take vp his crosse and follow me ✠verse 25 For he that will saue his life shal lose it and he that shal lose his life for me shal finde it ✠verse 26 For what doth it profite a man if he gaine the vvhole vvorld and sustaine the damage of his soule Or vvhat permutation shal a man giue for his soule ✠verse 27 For the Sonne of man shal come in the glorie of his father vvith his Angels and then vvil he render to euery man according to his ″ vvorkes ⊢ ✠verse 28 Amen I say to you * there be some of them that stand here that shal not taste death til they see the Sonne of man comming in his kingdom ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XVI 13. Whom say men Christ intending here to take order for the founding regiment and stabilitie of his Church after his deceaâ—e and to name the person to whom he meant to geue the general charge thereof would before by interrogatories draw out and namely out of that one whom he thought to make the cheefe the professioÌ„ of that high and principal Article That he was the sonne of the liuing God Which being the ground of the Churches faith was a necessarie qualitie and condition in him that was to be made Head
giue an account of this concourse And vvhen he had said these things he dimissed the assemblie ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XIX 12. Napkins The napkins that had touched S. Paules body vvrought miracles and it vvas no superstition to attribute that vertue to them vvhich God gaue to them in deede nor to seeke to touch them for health vvas any dishonour to God but it much proued Christes religioÌ„ to be true and him to be the only God vvhose seruants yea vvhose seruants * shades and napkins could do such vvonders as S. Chrysostome to 5. cont Gentiles quòd Christus sit Deus in vit Babyla shovveth in a vvhole booke to that purpose against the Pagans prouing hereby and by the like vertue of other Saincts and their Relikes that Christ their Lord and Maister is God for it is al one concerning the bodies of Saincts reliques garments staues bookes or any thing that belonged to them al which may and haue done and yet doe vvhen it is necessarie to our edification the like vvonders to Gods great honour not only in their life time but after their death much more for S. Paules napkins had as great force vvhen he vvas dead as vvhen he liued and so much more as his grace and dignitie vvith God is greater then before Vvhich S. Chrysostom in the place alleaged proueth at large by the shrine of S. Babylas the Martyr and to thinke the contrarie is the Heresie of Vigilantius condemned so long since as S. Hieroms time and by him refuted aboundantly 16. Paul I knovv Both the said napkins taken from S. Paules body and his name also vvere dreadful and able to expel diuels Vvhereby vve learne that not only Christes name vvhich is the principal but his seruaÌ„ts names also inuocated vpon the possessed haue povver ouer diuels vvhich is a maruelous honour to Saincts and nothing diminisheth the glorie of Christ but excedingly increaseth the same not only him self but his seruants also being able to do such things and to be stronger then any Diuel in Hel. So vve read in * S. Hierom that many did inuocate the name of S. Hilarâ—on vpon the possessed and the Diuels straight departed so did the Diuel knovv * S. Babylas and other Saincts euen after they vvere dead vvhen they could not speake for the presence of their Relikes and vvhen they vvere tormented and expelled by them vvhereof al antiquitie is ful of testimonies But our Heretikes Luther and Caluin and their Scholers attempting to cast out Diuels spâ—d much like as these good fellovves did 19. Curious things Curious and vnlavvful sciences as Vvitcheraft Necromancie and other meanes of diuination by southsaying figure-â—asting interpretation of dreames or any vvay not allovved by God and his Church must much more be abhorred of old Christians vvhen these so lately conuerted vvere so zelous and diligent to leaue them And by this example al that are nevvly reconciled to the Church are taught the first thing they do to burne their heretical and naughtie bookes 19. Bookes A Christian man is bound to burne or deface al vvicked bookes of vvhat sort so euer specially Heretical bookes Vvhich though they infect not him alvvaies that keepeth them yet being furth comming they may be noisom and pernicious to others that shal haue them and read them after his death or othervvise Therfore hath the Church taken order for condemning al such bookes and against the reading of them vvhere danger may ensue and the Christian Emperoures Constantinus Magnus Valentinâ—an Theodosius Martian Iustinian made penal lavves for the burning or defacing of them Sozem. li. 1 c. 20. li. 2c 〈◊〉 Conc. Chalac act 3. in fine cap. Amplae in fine totius Conc. â— Imperator Conc. Constantinop 2. conses 5. cap. Debitam Act. 1 cap. 1. cap. Rem See Eusebius li. â— de vita Constant c. 61. 62. 63. 64. The danger of reading them as it is manifest so it is signified by Euseb li. 7 c. 6. s. Augustine li. 3 de bapt 6. 14. S. Greg. li. 5 ep 64. CHAP. XX. Hauing visited the Churches of Macedonia and Achaia as he purposed Act. 19 and novv about to saile from Corinth tovvard Hierusalem because of the Ievves lying in vvaite for him he is constrained to returne into Macedâ—nia And so 〈◊〉 Philippos taking boate commeth to Troas vvhere vpon the Sunday vvith a sermon and a miracle he greatly confirmeth that Church 13 Thence comming to Milétum 17 he sendeth to Ephesus for the Clergie of those partes to vvhom he maketh a Pastoral sermon committing vnto their charge the stocke beguÌ„ne by him there and novv like to be seen of him no more considering the troubles that by reuelation he looketh for at Hierusalem verse 1 AND after that the tumult vvas ceased Paul calling the disciples and exhorting them tooke his leaue and set forvvard to goe into Macedonia ✠verse 2 And vvhen he had vvalked through those partes had exhorted them vvith much speach he came to Greece ✠verse 3 vvhere vvhen he had spent three moneths the Ievves laid vvait for him as he vvas about to saile into Syria and he had councel to returne through Macedonia ✠verse 4 And there accompanied him Soâ—â—pater of Pyrrhus of Beroea and of Thessalonians Aristarchus and Secundus and Caius of Derbè and Timothee and of Asia Tychicus and Tróphimus ✠verse 5 These going before staied for vs at Troas ✠verse 6 but vve â—ailed after the daies of Azymes from Philippi and came to them vnto Troas in fiue daies vvhere vve abode seuen daies ✠verse 7 And in the first of the Sabboth vvhen vve vvere assembled to breake bread Paul disputed vvith them being to depart on the morovv and he continued the sermon vntil midnight ✠verse 8 And there vvere a great number of lampes in the vpper chamber vvhere vve vvere assembled ✠verse 9 And a certaine yong man named Eútychus sitting vpon the vvindovv vvhereas he vvas oppressed vvith heauy sleepe Paul disputing long driueÌ„ by sleepe fel from the third loft downe and vvas taken vp dead ✠verse 10 To vvhom vvhen Paul vvas gone dovvne he lay vpon him and embracing him he said Be not troubled for his soule is in him ✠verse 11 And going vp and breaking bread and tasting and hauing talked sufficiently to them vntil day light so he departed ✠verse 12 And they brought the lad aliue and vvere not a litle comforted ✠verse 13 But vve going vp into the ship sailed to Asson from thence meaning to receiue Paul for so he had ordained him self purposing to iourney by land ✠verse 14 And vvhen he had found vs in Asson taking him vvith vs vve came to Miâ—yléne ✠verse 15 And sailing thence the day folovving vve came ouer against Chios and the other day vve arriued at Samos and the day folovving vve came to Milétum ✠verse 16 for Paul had purposed to saile leauing Ephesus lest any stay should be made him
vvith Iohn to Samaria to confirme the nevvly baptized vvhere he reproueth Simon Maguâ— Act. 8. 19 35 2 He healeth Aeneas at Lydda and raiseth Tabitha from death at Ioppè Act. 9.    He is vvarried and taught by a vision to preach so Cornelius a Gentil Act. 10. He defendeth his receiuing of the Gentiles Act. 11. and recordeth Act. 15 that God called the first Gentiles by his ministerie so that Paules first preaching to them and his going to Arabia must be after this See S. Chrys in Act. ho. 22. Euseb li. 2 c. 3. 20 36 3 He continueth preaching in diuers partes of Iurie and the prouinces adioyning About tvvo yeres after this S. Paul visiteth him at Hierusalem Gal. 1.    He preacheth in Syria and the Prouinces of Asia minor Bythynia Poutus Galatia Cappodocia ordaining Bishops and Priests in diuers places 1 Pet. 1. Nacepho li. 2 c. 35. Platina in Petro. 23 39 6 He goeth to Antioche preaching there and making that his Seate yet not remaining there continually but for the affaires of the Church departing thence sometime to Hierusalem sometime to other places Hiero. in Catalogo Ignat. ad Magnesianos    At Hierusalem he is cast into prison after the putting of S. Iames to death by the commaundement of Herod he is praied for by the vvhole Church deliuered out of prison by an Angel Act. 12. Claudij Nat. DnÌ„i Ascen  2 44 11 Auoiding the furie of Herod he leaueth Iurie againe He appointeth Euodius Bishop in Antioche Euseb in Chron. li. â— c. 16. Suidâ—s Ignat ad Antiochen And passing by Corinth HE CAME TO ROME to conuince Simon Magus Hiero. in Catalogo Euseb li. 2 c. 12. 13. 24. Concil to 1.    He approueth declareth the Gospel of S. Marke to be Canonical Hiero. in Catalâ— Euseb li. 2 c. 14.    Hauing founded the Church at Rome and planted his Apostolical Seate there aftervvard absent from the citie either expelled thence vvith other Ievves Cornel. Tacit in Claudio or rather according to the office of his Apostleship leauing it for a time he visited other Churches and came to Hierusalem againe vsing both in his absence and presence Linus and Cletus for his coadiutors To. 2 Concil pag. â—56 Epiph to 2. Haeres 27. 9 52 18 He holdeth the first Councel Act. 15. He is reprehended at Antioche by S. Paul Galat. 1. except that difference fell before the Councel as some thinke August â—p 19.    He returneth to Rome againe the Romane faith by his diligence novv made famous through the vvorld Ro. 1. 15. Theodoret. in 16. Ro. Thence he vvriteth his first epistle 1 Pet. 5. Euseb li. 2 c. 14. Hiero. in Catalogo    He sendeth S. Marke to Alexandria and others to plant the faith in diuers partes of the vvorld Grego li. 5 ep 60. li. 6 ep 37. Niâ—opho li. 2 c. 35.    He vvriteth his second epistle a litle before his death vvhich Christ reuealed to him to be at hand 2 Pet. 1. He taketh order for his successor Neronis Nat. DnÌ„i Ascen  14 70 37 He vvas finally crucified at Rome See the last Annot. Ioan. c. 21. FOELIX ECCLESIA cui totam doctrinam Apostoli cum suo sanguine profuderunt vbi PETRVS Passioni Domini adaequatur vbi PAVLVS Ioannis Baptissae exitu coronatur Tertul. de Praescript NON ita coelum splendescit quando radios sol demittit quemadmodum ROMANORVM VRBS duas illas lampades vbique tertarum effundens Chrys in ep Ro. hom 32 in moral Prudent in Hymno de S. Laurent Hiâ— nempe iam regnant duâ— Apostolorum principes Alter vocator Gentium Alter cathédram possidens Primam recludis creditas Aeternitatis ianuas Merita Petri Pauli propter eundem Passionis diem celebrius solenniter Roma commendat S. Aug. de cons Euang. li. 1 c. 10. A TABLE OF S. PAVL Tiberij Natiuit Ascen  18 34 1 SEVEN Deacons are elected and ordered by imposition of handes Act. 6.    Steuen the principal of them maketh a blessed sermon for vvhich he vvas stoned to death Saul aftervvard Paul consenting and aiding therevnto Act. â— 19 35 2 Saul by commission persecuteth Act. 9.    In his iourney to Damascùs he is conuerted Ibid.    He goeth into Arabia and preacheth there Galat. 1. 22 38 5 Paul returneth to Damascus vvhere being in danger he escapeth let dovvne in a basket by the vvall Act. 9.    Thente he commeth to Hierusalem to see Peter Galat. 1. Vvhere being in danger of his life the brethren conuey him out of the citie to Caesaréa and thence to Tarsus Act. 9.    He preacheth in the partes of Syria and Cilicia Galat. 1. and at Antioche vvhere the Christians vvere first called by that name Act. 11.    He and Barnabas being seuered from the rest of the Disciples by the appointmeÌ„t of the holy Ghost and after fasting and praier by imposition of handes consecrated Apostles and Bishops they comme to Cypres vvhere he conuerted the Proconsul Act. 13.    He preacheth in Lycaonia and at Lystra is almost stoned to death He appointeth Priests in euery Church and returning by Pisidia came againe to Antioche vvhence they first departed Act. 14. Claudij Natiuit Ascen  9 52 18 At Antioche and there about he remaineth Act. 14 vntil the controuersie touching the obseruation of Moyses lavv for resolution vvhereof he and Barnabas ascend to Hierusalem Vvhere they are appointed to bring the determination of the Councel to Antioche And from thence passing through Syria and Cilicia they teach the Christians to obserue the decrees of the Apostles and Auncients Act. 15.    Doing the same in the cities of Lycaonia and others adioining by a vision he is vvarned to passe ouer the sea and so commeth into Macedonia vvhere he planteth the Gospel Act. 16.    Hence forvvard S. Luke pursueth S. Pauls storie chapter by chapter vntil his apprehension in Hierusalem and arriual at Rome in this order    He returneth from Macedonia by Thessalonica to Athens vvhere he conuetteth many namely S. Denys Areopagita Act. 17.    From Athens he commeth to Corinth vvhere he remaineth 18 moneths Act. 1â— and hauing visited the Churches of Asia Act. 19 he commeth backe to Corinth Act. 20. Vvhence he vvriteth his epistle to the Romanes Ro. 15.    From Corinth he saileth to Tróas in Asia vvhere vpon a Sunday he raised Eutychus from death preaching til midnight from Tróas he commeth to Milétum by sea and there sendeth for the Bishops and Auncients of Ephesus and exhorteth them Act. 20.    Thence comming to Hierusalem he
the Clergie how to minister them or giue any mā right to rule preach or execute any spiritual function as vnder her and by her authoritie no creature being able to impart that vvhereof it self is incapable both by nature and Scriptures This Regiment is expresly giuen to the Apostles Bishopes and Prelates they onely haue authoritie to bind and loose Mat. 18 they onely are set by the Holy Ghost to gouerne the Church Act. 20 they onely haue cure of our soules directly and must make account to God for the same Hebr. 13. CHAP. XV. He proueth the Resurrection of the dead by the Resurrection of Christ and vvith many other arguments and 3◠ansvvereth also obiections made against it 49 And then exhorteth in respect of it vnto good life verse 1 AND I do you to vnderstand brethren the Gospel vvhich I preached to you which also you receiued in the vvhich also you stand ✠verse 2 by the vvhich also you are saued after vvhat maner I preached vnto you if you keepe it vnlesse you haue beleeued in vaine ✠verse 3 For I deliuered vnto you first of al vvhich I also receiued that Christ died for our sinnes * according to the Scriptures ✠verse 4 and that he vvas buried and that he rose againe the third day * according to the scriptures ✠verse 5 and that he vvas * seen of Cephas and after that of the eleuen ✠verse 6 Then vvas he seen of moe thē fiue hundred brethren together of vvhich many remaine vntil this present some are a sleepe ✠verse 7 Moreouer he vvas seen of Iames then of al the Apostles ✠verse 8 And last of al as it vvere of an abortiue * he vvas seen also of me ✠verse 9 For I am the least of the Apostles vvho am not worthy to be called an Apostle because I persesecuted the Church of God ✠verse 10 But by the grace of God I am that vvhich I am his grace in me hath not been void ⊢ but I haue laboured more aboundantly then al they yet not I but the grace of God ″ vvith me ✠verse 11 For vvhether I or they so vve preach and so you haue beleeued ✠verse 12 But if Christ be preached that he is risen againe from the dead hovv doe certaine among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead ✠verse 13 And if there be no resurrection of the dead neither is Christ risen againe ✠verse 14 And if Christ be not risen againe then vaine is our preaching vaine also is your faith ✠verse 15 and vve are found also false witnesses of God because vve haue giuen testimonie against God that he hath raised vp Christ vvhom he hath not raised vp if the dead rise not againe ✠verse 16 For if the dead rise not againe neither is Christ risen againe ✠verse 17 And if Christ be not risen againe vaine is your faith for yet you are in your sinnes ✠verse 18 Then they also that are a sleepe in Christ are perished ✠verse 19 If in this life onely vve be hoping in Christ vve are more miserable then al men ✠verse 20 But novv Christ is risen againe from the dead the * first fruites of them that sleepe ✠verse 21 for * by a man death and by a man the resurrection of the dead ✠verse 22 And as in Adam al die so also in Christ al shal be made aliue ✠verse 23 But * euery one in his ovvne order the first fruites Christ then they that are of Christ that beleeued in his comming ✠verse 24 Then the ende vvhen he shal haue deliuered the kingdom to God and the Father vvhen he shal haue abolished al principalitie and authoritie and povver ✠verse 25 And he must reigne Vntil he put al his enemies vnder his feete ✠verse 26 And the enemie death shal be destroied last For he hath subdued al things vnder his feete And vvhereas he saith ✠verse 27 Al things are subdued to him Vndoubtedly except him that subdued al things vnto him ✠verse 28 And vvhen al things shal be subdued to him then the Sonne also him self shal be subiect to him that subdued al things vnto him that God may be al in al. ✠verse 29 Otherwise what shal they do that are baptized for the dead if the dead rise not againe at al ✠verse 30 vvhy also are they baptized for them vvhy also are vve in danger euery houre ✠verse 31 I die daily by your glorie brethren vvhich I haue in Christ IESVS our Lord. ✠verse 32 If according to man I fought vvith beastes at Ephesus vvhat doth it profit me if the dead rise not againe Let vs eate and drinke for to morovv vve shal die ✠verse 33 Be not seduced Euil communications corrupt good maners ✠verse 34 Avvake ye iust and sinne not for some haue not the knovvledge of God I speake to your shame ✠verse 35 But some man saith Hovv doe the dead rise againe and vvith vvhat maner of body shal they come ✠verse 36 Foole that vvhich thou sovvest is not quickened vnlesse it die first ✠verse 37 And that vvhich thou sovvest not the body that shal be doest thou sovv but bare graine to vvit of vvheate or of some of the rest ✠verse 38 And God giueth it a body as he vvil and to euery seede his proper body ✠verse 39 Not al flesh is the same flesh but one of men an other of beastes an other of birdes an other of fishes ✠verse 40 And bodies celestial and bodies terrestrial but one glorie of the celestial and an other of the terrestrial ✠verse 41 One glorie of the sunne an other glorie of the moone and an other glorie of the starres For starre differeth from starre in glorie ✠verse 42 so also the resurrection of the dead It is sovven in corruption it shal rise in incorruptiō ✠verse 43 It is sovvē in dishonour it shal rise in glorie It is sovven in infirmitie it shal rise in povver ✠verse 44 It is sovven a natural body it shal rise a spiritual body If there be a natural body there is also a spiritual ✠verse 45 as it is vvritten The first man Adam vvas made into a liuing soul the last Adam into a quickening spirit ✠verse 46 Yet that is not first vvhich is spiritual but that vvhich is natural aftervvard that vvhich is spiritual ✠verse 47 The first man of earth earthly the second man from heauen heauenly ✠verse 48 Such as is the earthly such also are the earthly and such as the heauenly such also are the heauenly ✠verse 49 Therfore as vve haue borne the image of the earthly let vs beare also the image of the heauenly ✠verse 50 This I say brethren that flesh and bloud can not possesse
de doct Christ Some fevv for many most easie to be done most honorable for signification and most cleare and pure for to be obserued and kept hath our Lord him self and the Apostolical discipline deliuered And li. de ver relig c. 17. Of the vvisedom of God it self mani nature being taken vvhereby vve vvere called into libertie a fevv Sacraments most holsom vvere appointed and instituted vvhich might conteine the societie of Christian people that is of the free multitude vnder one God And againe cont Faust li. 19. c. 13. The Sacraments are changed they are made caesier fevver holsommer happier the same he hath in the 118 epistle c. 1. and many other places besides By vvhich you may see it is not al one to vse elements visible Sacraments or ceremonies and to serue them as the Pagans do or to serue vnder them as the Ievves did vvherevvith the Heretikes calumniously charge the Christians And as touching the small number facilitie efficacie and signification vvherein the said holy father putteth the special difference vvho seeth not that for so many busie sacrifices vve haue but one for Sacraments vvel nere infinite but seuen al so easie so ful of grace so significant as can be possible as of euery one in their seueral places is proued Here let the good Readers take heede of a double deceite vsed by the Aduersaries about S. Augustines places alleaged first in that they say he made but tvvo Sacraments vvhich is vntrue for although treating of the difference betvvene the Ievvish Sacraments and ours he namely giueth example in Baptisme and the Eucharist as sometimes also for example he nameth but one yet he hath no vvord nor signe at al that there should be no moe but contrarievvise in the foresaid epistle 118 he insinuateth that besides those tvvo there be other of the same sort in the Scriptures Yea vvith water and bread which be the elements of the tvvo foresaid Sacraments he expresly nameth oile also li. 2. cont lit Petil. c. 104. the element or matter of the Sacrament of Confirmation which in the same place he maketh to be a Sacrament as Baptisme is So doth he affirme of the Sacrament of Orders li. 1 de bapt c. 1. and also of Matrimonie li. de bono coniug c. 24. of Penance likevvise he speaketh as of Baptisme which he calleth Reconciliation li. 1. de adult conjug c. 28. Lastly by the booke de visitatione infirmorum in S. Augustine li. 2 c. 4. by Prosper de pradictionibus p. 2. c. 29. S. Innocentius ad Eugubinum Io. 1. Cont. ep ad Eugub c. 8. S. Cyril li. 2. in Leuiticum and S. Chrysostom li. 3 de Saterdotio Extreme vnction is proued to be a Sacrament It is false then that the Heretikes affirme of S. Augustine by vvhose doctrine it is plaine that though the elements or Sacraments of the new lavv be but few and very fevv in comparison of those in the old lavv yet there be no fevver then seuen specified by him Vvhich number of seuen the holy Councels of Florence and Trent do expresly define to haue been instituted by Christ against these late Heretikes See more of these Sacraments in their places Act. 8. 1 Tim 4. Io. 20. Ia. 5. Ephes 5. The other forgerie of the Aduersaires concerning the elements or ceremonies is that S. Augustine ep 119. c. 19. should affirme that the Church and Christian people in his daies vvherevpon they inferre that it is so much more novv vvere so loden vvith obseruation of vnprofitable ceremonies that they vvere in as great seruilitie and subiection to such things as the Ievves He saith so in deede of some particular presumptions inuentions and vsages of certaine persons as that some made it a heinous matter to touch the grouÌ„d vvith their bare feete vvithin their ovvne octaues and such like vanities whereby some simple folkes might be infected vvhich this holy Doctor specially misliked and vvisheth such things as they may vvithout scandal to be taken avvay But that he vvrote or meant so of any ceremonie that the Church vseth either appointed by Scripture or Councel or custom of the Catholike Church him self denieth it in expresse termes in the same place and in sundrie other vvhere he allovveth al the holy ceremonies done in the ministration of the Sacraments and els vvhere Vvhereby it is cleere that the Churches most comely orders and significant 〈◊〉 pertaine not to the yoke of the old lavv much lesse to the superstition of Gentilitie as Heretikes affirme but to the svveete yoke of Christ and light burden of his lavv to order decencie and instruction of the faithful in al libertie loue faith grace and spirit 9. Vveake and poore Vvhether he meane of the creatures vvhich the Gentils serued as it may seeme by the vvordes before of seruing strange gods so the elements vvere most base and beggerly or of the Iuaical ceremonies and sacraments as most expound it euen so also their elements vvere vveake and poore in them selues not giuing life saluation and remission of sinnes nor being instruments or vessels of grace as the 7 Sacraments of the nevv lavv be 10. You obserue daies That vvhich S. Paul speaketh against the Idolotrical obseruation of daies moâ—eths and times dedicated by the Heathen to their false goddes and to vvicked men or spirites as to Iupiter Mercurie Ianus Iuno Diana and such like or against the superstitious differences of daies fatall fortunate or disâ—nol and other obseruations of times for good lucke or il lucke in mans actions gathered either by particular fansie or popular obseruation or curious and vnlavvful artes or lastly of the Iudaical festiuities that vvere then ended and abrogated vnto vvhich notvvithstanding certaine Christian Ievves vvould haue reduced the Galatians against the Apostles doctrine al that I say do the Heretikes of our time falsely and deceitfully interprete against the Christian holidaies and the sanctification and necessarie keeping of the same Vvhich is not only contrarie to the Fathers exposition but against the very Scriptures and the practise of the Apostles the vvhole Church Aug. cont Adimâ—Ì„s c. 16. Ep. 118. c. 7. Hiero. in hunc locum In the Apocalypse c. 1. there is plaine mention of the Sunday that is our Lordes day Dominicus dies vnto vvhich the Ievves Sabboth vvas altered their Pasche into our Easter their PeÌ„tecost into our Vvhitsontide vvhich vvere ordained obserued of the Apostles them selues And the antiquitie of the feastes of Christes Natiuitie Epiphanle AsceÌ„sion is such that they caÌ„ be referred to no other origine but the Apostles institution vvho as S. Clement testifieth li. â— const Apost c. â—9 gaue order for celebrating their follovv Apostles S. Steuens and other Martyrs daies after their death and much more no doubt did they giue order for Christes festiuities According to vvhich the Church hath kept not only his but S. Steuens and the B. Innocents euen on the
Let vs auoid those Nouelties of vvordes according to the Apostles prescript and keepe the old termes Penance Fasting Priest Church Bishop Masse Mattins Euensong the B. Sacrament Altar Oblation Host Sacrifice Alleluia Amen Lent Palme-Sunday Chrisimas the very vvordes vvil bring vs to the faith of our first Apostles and condemne these nevv apostates nevv faith and phrases 20. Falsely called knovvledge It is the propertie of al Heretikes to arrogate to them selues great knovvledge and to condemne the simplicitie of their fathers the holy Doctors and the Church but the Apostle calleth their pretended skill a knovvledge falsely so called being in truth high and deepe blindnes Such saith S. Irenaeus li. 5 c. 17. as forsake the preaching of the Church argue the holy Priests of vnskilfulnes not considering hovv far more vvorth a religious idiote is them a blasphemous and impudent sophister such as al Heretikes be And againe Vincentius Lirinensis speaking in the person of Heretikes saith Come ô ye folish and miserable men that are commonly called Catholikes and learne the true faith vvhich hath been hid many ages heretofore but is reuealed and shevved of late c. See his vvhole booke concerning these matters THE ARGVMENT OF THE SECOND EPISTLE OF S. PAVL TO TIMOTHEE THE cheefe scope of this second to Timothee is to open vnto him that his martyrdom is at hand Vvhich yet he doth not plainely before the end preparing first his minde vvith much circumstance because he knevv it vvould grieue him sore and also might be a tentation vnto him Therfore he talketh of the cause of his trouble of the revvard that the one is honorable and the other most glorious and exhorteth him to be constant in the faith to be ready alvvaies to suffer for it to fulfil his ministerie to the end as him self novv had done his Vvhereby it is certaine that it vvas vvritten at Rome in his last apprehension and emprisonment there as he signifieth by these vvordes Cap. 1 Onesiphorus vvas not ashamed of my chaine but when he was come to Rome carefully sought me c. And of his martyrdom thus For I am novv ready to be offered and the time of my resolution or death is at hand cap. 4. THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAVL TO TIMOTHEE CHAP. I. Vvith his praises he couertly exhorteth him not to be dismaied for his trouble 6 hauing grace giuen in Orders to helpe him 8 and knovving for vvhat cause he is persecuted and namely vvith the example of Onesiphorus verse 1 PAVL an Apostle of IESVS Christ by the vvil of God according to the promisse of the life which is in Christ IESVS ✠verse 2 to Timothee my deerest sonne grace mercie peace from God the father and Christ IESVS our Lord. ✠verse 3 I giue thankes to God vvhom I serue from my progenitours in a pure conscience that vvithout intermission I haue a memorie of thee in my praiers night and day ✠verse 4 desiring to see thee mindeful of thy teares that I may be filled vvith ioy ✠verse 5 calling to minde that faith vvhich is in thee not feined vvhich also dvvelt first ″ in thy grandmother Loïs and thy mother Eunîce and I am sure that in thee also ✠verse 6 For the vvhich cause I admonish thee that thou resuscitate the grace of God vvhich is in thee by the imposition of my handes ✠verse 7 For God hath not giuen vs the spirit of feare but of povver and loue and sobrietie ✠verse 8 Be not therfore ashamed of the testimonie of our Lord nor of me his prisoner but trauail vvith the Gospel according to the povver of God ✠verse 9 vvho hath deliuered and called vs by his holy calling * not according to our vvorkes but according to his purpose and grace vvhich vvas giuen to vs in Christ IESVS * before the secular times ✠verse 10 But it is manifested novv by the illumination of our Sauiour IESVS Christ vvho hath destroied death illuminated life and incorruption by the Gospel ✠verse 11 vvherein * I am appointed a preacher and Apostle and Maister of the Gentiles ✠verse 12 For the vvhich cause also I suffer these things but I am not cōfounded For I know whom I haue beleeued I am sure that he is able to keepe my ″ depositum vnto that day ✠verse 13 Haue thou ″ a forme of sound vvordes vvhich thou hast heard of me in faith in the loue in Christ IESVS ✠verse 14 Keepe the good depositum by the holy Ghost vvhich dvvelleth in vs. ✠verse 15 Thou knovvest this that al vvhich are in Asia be auerted from me of vvhom is Phigelus and Hermogenes ✠verse 16 Our Lord giue mercie to * the house of Onesiphorus because he hath often refreshed me and hath not been ashamed of my chaine ✠verse 17 but vvhen he vvas come to Rome he sought me carefully and found me ✠verse 18 ″ Our Lord graunt him to finde mercie of our Lord in that day And how many things he ministred to me at Ephesus thou knovvest better ANNOTATIONS CHAP. I. 5. In thy grandmother Though God shevv mercie to many that be of incredulous heretical or il parents yet it is a goodly benediction of God to haue good education and to haue good faithful progenitors and Catholike parents And it is a great sinne to forsake the faith of our fathers that be Catholikes or contrarie to our education in the Church to folovv strange doctrines abandoning not onely our next natural parents faith but the aūcient faith and beleefe of al our progenitors for many hundred yeres together And if to folovv the faith of mother and grandmother onely the Christian religion being then but nevvly planted vvas so commendable euen in a Bishop hovv much more is it novv laudable to cleaue fast to the faith of so many our progenitors and ages that continued in the same Christian religion vvhich they first receiued Our Protestants in their great vvisedom laugh at good simple men vvhen they talke of their fathers faith But S. Hierom I am a Christian saith he and borne of Christian parents and carie the signe of the crosse in my forehead And againe ep 65. c. 3. Vntil this day the Christian vvorld hath been vvithout this doctrine that faith vvil I hold fast being an old man vvherein I vvas borne a child And the holy Scriptures set vs often to schole to our fathers Aske thy fathers and they vvil shevv thee thy auncetours and they vvil tel thee And againe Our fathers haue shevved vnto vs. And cōmonly the true God is called the God of the faithful and of their forefathers Dan. 2. 3. And false Gods and nevv doctrines or opinions be named Nevv and fresh such as their fathers vvorshipped not Deut. 32. Finally S. Paul both here and often els alleageth for his defense and commendation that he vvas of faithful progenitors
before as this Titus vvas by S. Paul And here it seemeth that he did not onely consecrate them vvhom the people had elected before but him self also made choise of the persons no mention being here made of any other election popular Vvhich though it vvere long vsed in the primitiue Church yet for diuers causes and specially for continual tumultes partialities and disorders vvhich S. Augustine much complaineth of in his time vvas iustly taken avvay and other better meanes of their designement appointed See Conc. Laodic cap. 12. 13. S. August de adult coniug li. 2. â— 20. Ep. 110. and Possid in vita Aug. â— â— And that the ordering of Priests or imposition of hands to that purpose belongeth onely to Bishops and to no inferior Priests or other persons it is plaine by the Apostolike practise set dovvne in the Scriptures namely in the Actes and in the Epistles to Timothee and Titus And S. Hierom vvho seemeth sometimes to say that in the primitiue Church there vvas no great difference betvvixt a Bishop and Priest yet he euer excepteth giuing holy Orders vvhich preeminence he attributeth to Bishops onely ep 85. as he doth also Confirming the Baptized by giuing them the holy Ghost through imposition of hand and holy Chrisme Dial. cont Lucifer c. 4. Note also that Aërius vvas of old condemned of heresie for holding that there vvas no difference betvvixt a Priest and a Bishop Epiph. har 75. August har 53. Note lastly the fraudulent translation of the Heretikes alvvaies turning for Priests vvhich here is euident to be a calling of Order and office elders saying That thou ordaine Elders vvhich in our vulgar tonge signifieth the age and not the Office properly and al this for hatred of Priests 6. Of one vvife To that vvhich is said vpon the like vvordes 1 Tim. 3 adde this testimonie of S. Epiphanius li. 3. 〈◊〉 2. cont hareseâ— in fine Holy Priesthod saith he for the most part procedeth of Virgins and if not of virgins yet of them that liue a sole or single life but and if the single and sole persons suffice not to the Ministerie of such as conteine from their vviues or after once marying remaine vvidovves For him that hath him maried tvvise it is not lavvful to take to Priesthod c. If you list to see the causes vvhy bigamie is forbidden them that are to be Priests and continencie required of the Clergie see the same author li. 2. to 1. hares 59. S. Ambrose li. 1. Offic. c. 50. and vpon 1 Tim. 3. S. Augustine de bâ—no Coniugal c. 18. S. Hierom ep 50 c. 5 ad Pammachium and against Iouinian li. 1 c. 19. S. Lâ—o â—p 87. and other auncient authors And if the studious reader peruse al antiquitie he shal finde al notable Bishops and Priests of Gods Church to haue been single or continent from their vviues if any vvere maried before they came to the Clergie So vvas S. Paul and exhorteth al men to the like 1 Cor. 7 7. So vvere al the Apostles after they folovved Christ at S. Hierom vvitnesseth affirming that our Lord loued Iohn specially for his virginitie Apol. ad Pammach c. 8. li. 1 cont Iouin c. 14. S. Ignatius â—p â— ad Philadelph saith of the said Iohn and of Timothee Titus Euodius Clement that they liued and died in chastitie reckening vp of the old-Testament diuers notable personages that did the same as Elias Iesus Naue othervvise called Iosue Melchlsedec Elisaeus Hiereâ—â—â—e Iohn Baptist No man is ignorant that al the notable fathers of the Greeke and Latin Church liued chast Athanasius Basil Nazianzene Chrysostom Cyprian Hilarie vvho entered into holy Orders after his vviues death Ambrose Hierom Augustine Leo Gregorie the great Certaine other notable fathers had once vviues but no holy men euer vsed them much lesse maried after they vvere in holy Orders A maruelous thing that so many heretofore should haue the gift of chastitie then and novv so fevv if the Protestants say true that skarse one among them in our age of al their sectes euen of their principal Superintendents hath had it CHAP. II. Vvhat to preach both to old and yong not onely vvith vvord but vvith example also and to seruants 11 For there are of al sortes in the Church and they must be instructed accordingly verse 1 BVT doe thou speake the things that become sound doctrine ✠verse 2 Old men that they be sober chast vvise souÌ„d in the faith in loue in patience ✠verse 3 Old women in like maner in holy attire not il speakers not giuen to much wine teaching vvel ✠verse 4 that they may teach the yong women vvisedom to loue their husbands to loue their children ✠verse 5 vvise chast sober hauing a care of the house geÌ„tle subiect to their husbandes that the vvord of God be not blasphemed ✠verse 6 Yong men in like maner exhort that they be sober ✠verse 7 In al things shevv thy self an example of good vvorkes in doctrine in integritie in grauitie ✠verse 8 the vvord sound irreprehensible that he vvhich is on the coÌ„trarie part may be afraid hauing no euil to say of vs. ✠verse 9 * Seruants to be subiect to their maisters in al things pleasing not gainsaying ✠verse 10 not defrauding but in al things shevving good faith that they may adorne the doctrine of our Sauiour God in al things ✠verse 11 For the grace of God our Sauiour hath appeared to al men ✠verse 12 instructing vs that denying impietie worldly desires vve liue soberly and iustly and godly in this vvorld ✠verse 13 expecting the blessed hope and aduent of the glorie of the great God and our Sauiour IESVS Christ ✠verse 14 vvho gaue him self for vs that he might redeeme vs from al iniquitie and might cleanse to him self a people acceptable a pursuer of good vvorkes ✠verse 15 These things speake and exhort ⊢ and rebuke vvith al authoritie Let no man contemne thee CHAP. III. To teach them obedience vnto Princes and meekenes tovvardes al men considering that vve also vvere as they til God of his goodnes brought vs to Baptisme 8 To teach good vvorkes 9 and to auoid vaine questionâ— 10 and obstinate Heretikes verse 1 ADMONISH them to be subiect to Princes and Potestates to obey at a vvord to be ready to euery good vvorke ✠verse 2 to blaspheme no maÌ„ not to be litigious but modest shevving al mildenes tovvard al men ✠verse 3 for we also vvere sometime vnvvise incredulous erring seruing diuerse desires voluptuousnesses liuing in malice enuie odible hating one an other ✠verse 4 But vvhen the benignitie and kindnes tovvard man of our Sauiour God appeared ✠verse 5 * not by the vvorkes of iustice vvhich vve did but according to his mercie he hath saued vs by the lauer of regeneratioÌ„ and renouation of the
his humanity but for that his petigree is not set out in the Genesis as the genealogie of other Patriarches is but is sodenly induced in the holy historie no mention made of his stocke tribe beginning or ending and therfore in that case also resembling in a sort the sonne of God vvhose generation vvas extraordinarie miraculous and ineffable according to both his natures lacking a father in the one and a mother in the other his person hauing neither beginning nor ending and his kingdom and Priesthod specially in him self and in the Church being eternall both in respect of the time past and the time to come as the said Doctor in the same epistle vvriteth 4. Behold To proue that Christes Priesthod far passeth the Priesthod of Aaron and the Priesthod of the nevv Testament the Priesthod of the old lavv and consequently that the sacrifice of our Sauiour and the sacrifice of the Church doth much excel the sacrifices of Moyses lavv he disputeth proâ—oundly of the preeminences of Melchisedec aboue the great Patriarch Abraham vvho vvas father of the Leuites 4. Tithes The first preeminence that Abraham paied tithes and that of the best and most cheefe things that he had vnto Melchisedec as a duety and homage not for him self onely in person but for Leui vvho yet vvas not borne and so for the vvhole Priesthod of Leuies stocke acknovvledging thereby Melchisedec not onely to be a Priest but his Priest and Superior and so of al the Leuitical order And it is here to be obserued that vvhereas in the 14 of Genesis vvhence this holy narration is taken both in the Hebrue and in the 70 it standeth indifferent or doubtfull vvhether Melchisedec paied tithes to Abraham or tooke tithes of him the Apostle here putteth al out of controuersie plainely declaring that Abraham paid tithes to the other at the inferiour to his Priest and Superior And touching paiment of tithes it is a natural duety that men ovve to God in al lavves and to be giuen to his Priests in his behalfe for their honour and liuelihod Iacob promised or vovved to pay them Gen. 28. Moyses appointed them Leuit. 27. Num. 18. Deut. 12. 14. 26. Christ confirmeth that duety Mat. 23 and Abraham specially here giueth them to Melchisedec plainely thereby approuing them or their equiualent to be due to Christ and the Priesthod of the nevv Testament much more then either in the lavv of Moyses or in the lavv of Nature Of vvhich tithes due to the Clergie of Chrises Church see S. Cyprian ep 66. S. Hierom ep 1 c. 7. and ep 2 c. 5. to Hellodorus and Nepolianus S. Augustine ser 119 de tempore 7. Is blessed of the better The second preeminence is that Melchisedec did blesse Abraham vvhich vve see here S. Paul maketh a great and soueraine holy thing grounding our Sauiours prerogatiue aboue the vvhole order of Aaron therein and vve see that in this sort it is the proper act of Prieshod â— and that vvithout al controuersie as the Apostle saith he is greater in dignitie that hath authority to blesse then the person that hath not and therfore the Priests vocation to be in this behalfe far aboue any earthly king vvho hath not povver to giue benediction in this sacred maner neither to man nor other creature As here Melchisedec so Christ blessed much more and so haue the Bishops of his Church done and do Vvhich no man can maruel that our forefathers haue so highly esteemed and sought for if he marke the vvonderful mysterie and grace thereof here expressed 〈…〉 also vvhich here taketh blossing of Melchisedec him self though in an inferior sort blessed his sonnes as the other Patriarches did and fathers do their children by that example 11. If consummation The principal proposition of the vvhole epistle and al the Apostle discourse is inserted grounded vpon the former prerogatiues of Melchisedec aboue Abraham and Leul that is that the end perfection accomplishment and consummation of al mans dueties and debtes to God by the general redemption satisfaction full price and perfect ransom of al mankind vvas not atchieued by any or al the Priests of Aarons order not by any sacrifice or act of that Priesthod or of al the lavv of Moyses vvhich vvas grounded vpon the Leuitical Priesthod but by Christ and his Priesthod vvhich is of the order and rite of Melchisedec 11. What necessitie This disputation of the preeminence of Christes Priesthod aboue the Leuitical order is against the erroneous persuasion of the Ievves that thought their lavv Priesthod and sacrifices to be euerlasting and to be sufficient in them selues vvithout any other Priest then Aaron and his successors and vvithout al relation to Christes Passion or any other redemption or remission then that vvhich their Leuitical offices did procure not knovving that they vvere all figures of Christes death and to be ended and accomplished in the same Vvhich point vvell vnderstood and kept in mind vvill cleere the vvhole controuersie betvvixt the Catholikes and Protestants concerning the sacrifice of the Church for the scope of the Apostles disputation being to auouch the dignity preeminence necessitie and eternal fruite and effect of Christes Passion he had not to treate at all of the other vvhich is a sacrifice depending of his Passion specially vvriting to the Hebrues that vvere to be instructed and reformed first touching the sacrifice of the Crosse before they could fruitfully heare any thing of the other though in couert and by most euident sequele of disputation the learned and faithfull may easily perceiue vvherevpon the said Sacrifice of the Church vvhich is the Masse is grounded And therfore S. Hierom saith ep 126 that al these commendations of Melchisedec are in the type of Christ euius profectus Ecclesiae sacramenta sunt 12. Translated Note vvel this place and you shal perceiue thereby that euery lavvful forme and manner of lavv state or gouernement of Gods people dependeth on Priesthod riseth standeth falleth or altereth vvith the Priesthod In the lavv of Nature the state of the people hanged on one kind of Priesthod in the lavv of Moyses of an other in the state of Christianity of an other and therfore in the former sentence the Apostle said that the Ievvish people or Commonvvealth had their lavv vnder the Leuitical Priesthod and the Greeke more properly expresseth the matter that they vvere legitimated that is to say made a lavvful people or communitie vnder God by the Priesthod for there is no iust nor lavvful Commonvvealth in the vvorld that is not made legal and Gods peculiar and distinguished from vnlavvful Commonvveales that hold of false goddes or of none at al by Priesthod Vvherevpon it is cleere that the nevv lavv and al Christian peoples holding of the same is made lavvful by the Priesthod of the nevv Testament and that the Protestants shamefully are deceiued and deceiue others that vvould haue Christian Commonvveales to lacke
an external Priesthod or Christes death to abolish the same for this is a demonstration that if Christ haue abolished Priesthod he hath abolished the nevv lavv vvhich is the nevv Testament and state of Grace vvhich as Christian Commonvvealths liue vnder Neither vvere it true that the Priesthod vvere traÌ„slated vvith the Lavv if al external Priesthod ended by Christes death vvhere the nevv lavv began for so the lavv should not depend on Priesthod but dure vvhen al Priesthod vvere ended vvhich is against S. Paules doctrine Furthermore it is to be noted that this legitimation or putting Communities vnder lavv and Priesthod of vvhat order soeuer is no othervvise but ioyning one vvith an other in one homage or sacrifice external vvhich is the proper act of Priesthod for as no lavvful state can be vvithout priesthod so no priesthod can be vvithout sacrifice And vve meane alvvaies of Priesthod sacrifice taken in their ovvne proper signification as here S. Paul taketh them for the constitution difference alteration or traÌ„slation of states and lavves rise not vpon any mutation of spiritual or metaphorically taken Priesthod or sacrifice but vpon those things in proper acception as it is most plaine Lastly it foloweth of this that though Christ truely sacrificed him self vpon the Crosse there also a Priest according to the order of Melchisedec and there made the ful redemption of the vvorld confirmed and consummated his compact and Testament and the lavv and priesthod of this his nevv and eternal state by his bloud yet that can not be the forme of sacrifice into vvhich the old Priesthod and sacrifices vvere translated vvherevpon the Apostle inferreth the translation of the Law For they all vvere figures of Christes death and ended in effect at his death yet they vvere not altered into that kind of sacrifice vvhich vvas to be made but once and vvas executed in such a sort that peoples and nations Christened could not meete often to vvorship at it nor haue their law and Priestes constituted in the same though for the honour and duety remembrance and representatioÌ„ thereof not onely vve Christianâ— but also al peoples faithful both of Iewes Gentiles haue had their priesthod and sacrifices according to the difference of their states Vvhich kind of Sacrifices vvere translated one into an other and so no doubt is the Priesthod Leuitical properly turned into the Priesthod and sacrifice of the Church according to Melchisedecks rite and Christes institution in the formes of bread and vvine See the next note 17. A Priest for euer Christ is not called a Priest for euer onely for that his person is eternal or for that he sitteth on the right hand of God and perpetually praieth or maketh intercession for vs or for that the effect of his death is euerlasting for al this proueth not that in proper signification his Priesthod is perpetual but according to the iudgement of al the fathers grounded vpon this deepe and diuine discourse of S. Paul and vpon the very nature definition and propriety of Priesthod and the excellent act and order of Melchisedec and the state of the new law he is a Priest for euer according to Melchisedecks order specially in respect of the sacrifice of his holy body and bloud instituted at his last supper and executed by his commission commaundement and perpetual concurrence vvith his Priests in the formes of bread and vvine in vvhich things onely the said high Priest Melchisedec did sacrifice For though S. Paul make no expresse mention hereof because of the depth of the mysterie and their incredulity or feeblenesse to vvhom he vvrote yet it is euident in the iudgement of all the learned fathers vvithout exception that euer vvrote either vpon this epistle or vpon the 14 of Genesis or the Psalme 109 or by occasion haue treated of the sacrifice of the altar that the eternity and proper act of Christes Priesthod and consequently the immutability of the new law consisteth in the perpetual offering of Christes body and bloud in the Church Which thing is so vvell knowen to the Aduersaries of Christes Church and Priesthod and so graunted that they be forced impudently to cauill vpon certaine Hebrue particles that Melchisedec did not offer in bread and vvine yea and vvhen that vvill not serue plainely to deny him to haue been a Priest vvhich is to giue checkmate to the Apostle and to ouerthrow all his discourse Thus vvhiles these vvicked men pretend to defend Christes onely Priesthod they in deede abolish as much as in them lieth the vvhole order office and state of his eternall law and Priesthod Arnobius saith By the mysterie of bread and vvine he vvas made a Priest for euer And againe The eternal memorie by vvhich he gaue the food of his body to them that feare him in psal 109. 110. Lactatius In the Church he must needes haue his eternal Priesthod according to the order of Melabisedec Li. 14. Institut S. Hierom to Luagrius Aarons Priesthod had an end bus Melchisedecks that is Christes and the Churches is perpetuall both for the time past and to come S. Chrysostom therfore calleth the Churches sacrifice hostiaâ— inconsumptibâ—em an host or sacrifice that can not be consumed ho. 17 in 9 Hebr. S. Cyprian bostiam qua sublatae nulla esset futura religio an host vvhich being taken away there could be no religion de Canaâ— Dâ—mini nu 2. Emissenus perpetuam oblationem perpetuò currentem redemptionem a perpetual oblation and a redemption that runneth or continueth euerlastingly ho. 5 de Pasch And our Sauiour expresseth so much in the very institution of the B. Sacrament of his body and bloud specially vvhen he calleth the later kind the nevv Testament in his bloud signifying that as the old law vvas established in the bloud of beastes so the new vvhich is his eternal Testament should be dedicated and perpetual in his owne bloud not onely as it vvas shed on the Crosse but as giuen in the Chalice And therfore into this sacrifice of the altar saith S. Augustine li. 17 de Ciuit. c. 20. S. Leo ser 8 de Passione and the rest vvere the old sacrifices to be translated See S. Cyprian ep 63 ad Cecil nu 2. Ambrose de Sacram. li. 5. 6. 4. S. Augustine in Psal 33. Conc. â— and li. 17. de Ciuit. c. 17. S. Hierom ep 17. c. 2. ep 126. Epiph. har 55. Theodoret in Psal 109. Damascene li. 4. c. 14. Finally if any of the fathers or all the fathers had either vvisedom grace or intelligence of Gods vvorde and mysteries this is the truth If nothing vvil serue our Aduersaries Christ Iesus confound them and defend his eternal Priesthod and state of his new Testament established in the same 18. Of the former commaundement The vvhole law of Moyses conteining all their old Priesthod sacrifice sacraments and ceremonies is called the Old commaundement and the new Testament conteining
of the Pagan gods Then vvas it Babylon vvhen S. Iohn vvrote this and then vvas Nero and the rest figures of Antichrist and that citie the resemblance of the principal place vvheresoeuer it be that Antichrist shal reigne in about the later end of the vvorld Novv to apply that to the Romane Church and Apostolike See either novv or then vvhich vvas spoken onely of the terrene state of that citie as it vvas the seate of Peter vvhen it did slea aboue 30 Popes Christs Vicars one after an other endeuoured to destroy the vvhole Church that is most blasphemous and foolish The Church in Rome vvas one thing Babylon in Rome an other thing Peter sate in Rome and Nero sate in Rome but Peter as in the Church of Rome Nero as in the Babylon of Rome Vvhich distinction the Heretikes might haue learned by S. Peter him self ep 1. chap. 5. vvriting thus The Church saluteth you that is in Babylon coëlect So that the Church and the very chosen Church vvas in Rome vvhen Rome vvas Babylon vvhereby it is plaine that vvhether Babylon or the great vvhoore do here signifie Rome or no yet it can not signifie the Church of Rome vvhich is novv and euer vvas differing from the terrene Empire of the same And if as in the beginning of the Church Nero and the rest of the persecuting Emperours vvhich vvere figures of Antichrist did principally sit in Rome so also the great Antichrist shal haue his seate there as it may vvel be though others thinke that Hierusalem rather shal be his principal citie yet euen then shal neither the Church of Rome nor the Pope of Rome be Antichrist but shal be persecuted by Antichrist and driuen out of Rome if it be possible for to Christs Vicar and the Romane Church he vvil beare as much good vvil as the Protestants novv doe and he shal haue more povver to persecute him and the Church then they haue S. Hierom epist 17. c. 7. to Marcella to dravv her out of the citie of Rome to the holy land vvarning her of the manifold allurements to sinne and il life that be in so great and populous a citie alludeth at length to these vvordes of the Apocalypse and maketh it to be Babylon and the purple vvhoore but straight vvay lest some naughtie person might thinke he meant that of the Church of Rome vvhich he spake of the societie of the vvicked only he addeth There is there in deeds the holy Church there are the triumphans monuments of the Apostles and Martyrs there is the true confession of Christ there is the faith praised * of the Apostle and Gentilitie troden vnder foote the name of Christian daily aduancing it self on high Vvhereby you see that vvhatsoeuer may be spoken or interpreted of Rome out of this vvord Babylō it is not meant of the Church of Rome but of the terrene state in so much that the said holy Doctor li. 2. aduers Iouinian c. 19. signifieth that the holines of the Church there hath vviped avvay the blasphemie vvritten in the forehead of her former iniquitie But of the difference of the old state and dominion of the Heathen there for vvhich it is resembled to Antichrist and the Priestly state vvhich novv it hath reade a notable place in S. Leo serm 1 in natali Petri Pauli 5. Mysterie S. Paul calleth this secrete and close vvorking of abomination the mysterie of iniquitie 2. Thessal 2. and it is called a litle after in this chapter vers 7. the Sacrament or mysterie of the vvoman and it is also the marke of reprobation and damnation 6. Drunken of the bloud It is plaine that this vvoman signifieth the vvhole corps of al the persecutors that haue and shal shede so much bloud of the iust of the Prophets Apostles and other Martyrs from the beginning of the vvorld to the end The Protestants folishly expound it of Rome for that there they put Heretikes to death and allovv of their punishment in other countries but their bloud is not called the bloud of saincts no more then the bloud of theeues mankillers and other malefactors for the sheding of vvhich by order of iustice no Commonvvealth shal ansvver 9. Seuen hilles The Angel him self here expoundeth these 7 hilles to be al one vvith the 7 heads and the 7 kings yet the Heretikes blinded excedingly vvith malice against the Church of Rome are so madde to take them for the seuen hilles literally vpon vvhich in old time Rome did stand that so they might make the vnlearned beleeue that Rome is the seate of Antichrist But if they had any consideration they might marke that the Prophets visions here are most of them by Seuens vvhether he talke of heads hornes candlestickes Churches kings hilles or other thinges and that he alluded not to the hilles because they vvere iust seuen but that Seuen is a mystical number as sometimes Ten is signifying vniuersally al of that sort whereof he speaketh as that the seuen heads hilles or kingdoms which are here al one should be al the kingdoms of the world that persecute the Christians being heads and mountaines for their height in dignitie aboue others And some take it that there were seuen special Empires kingdoms or States that vvere or shal be the greatest persecutors of Gods people as of Aegypt hanaan Babylon the Persians and Greekes which be fiue-sixtly of the Romane Empire which once persecuted most of al other and which as the Apostle here saith yet is or standeth but the seuenth then vvhen S. Iohn vvrote this vvas not come neither is yet come in our daies vvhich is Antichrists state vvhich shal not come so long as the Empire of Rome standeth as S. Paul did Prophecie 2 Thessa◠2. 13. The same is the eight The beast it self being the congregation of al these vvicked persecutors though it consist of the foresaid seuen yet for that the malice of al is complete in it may be called the eight Or Antichrist him self though he be one of the seuen yet for his extraordinarie vvickednes shal be counted the odde persecutor or the accomplishment of al other therfore is named the eight Some take this beast called the eight to be the Diuel 18. The great citie If it be meant of any one citie and not of the vniuersal societie of the reprobate vvhich is the citie of the Diuel as the Church the vniuersal fellovvship of the faithful is called the citie of God it is most like to be old Rome as some of the Greekes expound it from the time of the first Emperours til Constantines daies vvho made an end of the persecution for by the authoritie of the old Romane Empire Christ vvas put to death first and aftervvard the tvvo cheefe Apostles the Popes their successors and infinite Catholike men through out the vvorld by lesser kings vvhich then vvere subiect to Rome Al vvhich Antichristian persecution◠ceased vvhen