1. Pet. 5. and the greater thou art in wealth dignity and place the more humble thy selfe and thou shalt find mercy with blessednes before thy maker (f) S. Gregory saith that pride is an evident sign of reprobation and contrary wise humility a most clear token of election to glory as pride is an euident sign of reprobation so humility is a manifest token of predestination CHAR. XXX OF COVETOVSNES THE CONTENTS No greedines so vnsatiable as an inordinat loue to worldly riches a couetous man is but rich in imagination a meer dreamer that waken'd out of his sleep 〈◊〉 death findeth nothing of all his riches to carry with him vertues and holy sciences be mans proper goods worldly wealth in it selfe is not euil a rich man that distributeth the superfluiries of his temporall fortune to the poor profiteth his soul vnto iust fication of life Christs example hath rendred pouerty estimable aboue worldly riches COuetousnes is an inordinat desire of riches which are the seruice * Eph. 5 diuitiae appellantur Idolorum seruitus of Idolls in regard the Couetous man turnes Idolater of his goods thinking that felicity standeth therein * Chrysos 64. in mat sicut Jaolum inquit temples sie auari auruÌ„ clauâ—tris vectibus sepiunt c. as Idolaters saith S. Chry sostome enclose Idolls in temples so couetous men enclose and defend with barrs and lockes gold and siluer preparing in the room of temples chestes and afterwards adore their shut vp treasure and choose rather to lose their eyes or life then any part therof They be like vnto a certain people * Plutarchus in quas Gracis called AEneani who were perswaded by their Oracle that they should be spoiled of their country if they gaue away the least parcell of it for though they see their brother to haue need neuertheless * Auari ita clausos omnibus voluÌ„t benignitatis fontes vt quod est in sordido charactere apud Theophrastum neque salem alijs commodent neque illicmium they shut vp their compassion from him as if they were to lose all their goods by parting with the least piece of coyne to the helping of him besides there is no more (a) According to Isidorus l. 2. de summo beno The thirst of a couetous man is neuer satiated the more he has the more he coueteth vnsatiable greedines then is the loue of mony as the matter of fire is so it burneth and according to the aboundance of riches the desire thereof increaseth and cannot be satiated for as wine shut vp in a vessell quencheth not the corporall thirst so mony locked vp in a chest neuer putteth out the fire of auarice the soul which is the cabinet of loue because of its spirituallity cannot be filled with mony no more then the chest that is the cabinet of gold can be filled with loue in regard of its corporallity there being nothing of proportion between a corporall and spirituall thing again he that loueth riches inordinatly shall be without the fruit thereof Eccles 50. no good comes to the owner therby but the beholding of or wallowing in them as did the (b) Tranquillus writeth of the Emperour Caligula that he made a spatious room to be spread all ouer with heaps of gold and his chief delight was to walkein the mids of them barefoot and therin also to tumble himselfe couetous Emperour Caligula A warran keeper after he hath made his ferret very hungry then he sowes the mouth and puts it into a cunnyburrow where the famished beast tumbles among scratches with its nailes the rabbits but cannot deuour any one to the satiating of hunger the like stratagem the deuil vseth with the couetous man he stirreth vp in him a vehement loue and an vnsatiable greedines to keep vp riches but lets him not haue the enjoyment as to vsing them * S. Cypria cpis 2. nec intelligit miser auarus speciosa esse sibi supplicia auro se alligatum teneri possideri magis quam possidere opes nor saith S. Cyprian ep 2. the couetous man vnderstandeth that to be confined to gold and to be possessed by rather then to possesse his treasures are but honourable punishments Hereby appeareth that the poor man that dreame h a dream that he hath found a mine of gold is as rich as the couetous man that hath chests filled with wealth which he vseth not and indeed he that is couetously rich is a very * Psal 75. dormierant semnium suum nihil inuenerunt omnes viri diuitiarum in manibus suis Et Job 27. diues cum dormierit nihil secum auferet aperiet oculos suos nihil inueniet dreamer the time of his dream is the night of this present life the time when he wakeneth is the hour of death the dream it selfe a vain deluding imagination that he abounds with worldly treasures for death comes with his dart opens the door of his soul and seising on him says that he must depart suddenly from his goods where with wakened out of sleep and perceiuing an vnauoidable necessity of his departure looks on euery side thinking to beare somthing away but finds nothing only he sees to his greife and sorrow that he was but rich in his imagination and that the multitude of riches in which he delighted were turned into a dream Furthermore the rich man is like vnto a dog that followes two men and t is not perceiued to which of either he belongs till they part themselues but then the dog goes with him that is his own master for till the rich man departs this life t is not known whether the riches he enioyes be his or the worlds goods but their stay with the world after his departure giues euidence enough to beleiue that the world and not he had the supream dominion ouer them neither are worldly riches properly (c) According to S. Ambrose mercy only accompanies man after his death and the riches which he cannot carry to his graue ought not to be counted his proper goods the goods of man for such only be his proper goods as are within his soul namely vertues and sciences or within the body for example health strength beauty as a wall is not denominated whit of whitnes abiding in a subject distinct from it so no man can be named properly rich in regard of temporall riches these hauing norhing of inward connexion with either body or soul Outward worldly-goods be properly called goods fortune and in reason such frail treasures ought not to be counted mans goods because they turn him from the supream good which is God because they draw him to vice and hinder his aduancement in vertue because they are thornes which choke the good seed of the Euangelicall sower that is the word of God rendering it vnfruitfull filles the soul with vnprofitable desires prick teare and pine away the body through tormenting cares and lastly
of sacramentall confession to purge out the leauen therof wherby he is cured For as a wounded body cannot be healed while the arrow that gaue the wound continues therin so neither a wounded soul can be cured whiles sin remaines that wounded it Wherfore as an impostume that breaks not outwardly causeth corporall death so sin's that stay within the soul * S. Aug qui inconfessus lates inconfessus condemnaberis vnconfessed cause eternall death Wherby euidently appears the greatness of the hazard that sinners run which (g) S. Cyprian l. de lapsis writeth thus Let euery man confess his sinnes while he is aliue while his confession may be accepted while his satisfaction and remission giuen by a Priest is gratefull in the sight of God defer confession of their sins till great sickness sieze on them and such be like vnto malefactors that confesse their wickednes at the gallowes when they can sin no more being depriued of further opportunity to sinne so that their sins do rather leaue them then they their sins Besides this kinde of slow-negligent penitents seldome confesse vnto iustification of life retaining for the most part an affection to their former transgressious in consequence of which they die in their wickednesse for loue to and remission of sin are inconsistent together Furthermore as a man that is afflicted with many grieuous wounds cannot performe any hard work so a penitent oppressed with many deadly sins togegether with violent sickness cannot * Psalm 14. dereliquit me virtus mea stand against the difficult assaultes of the deuill CHAR. XIIJ. OF SATISFACTION THE CONTENTS The integrity of sacramentall penance requireth sacramentall satisfaction the propriety wherof is to discharge the debt of temporall punishments which euen after the pardoning of sin as to the guilt thereof oft remaines behind vnsatisfyed satisfaction hath nothing of weight with it vnlesse the penitent that satisfyes be in state of grace God scourgeth euery son whom he receiueth neither holy scriptures nor ancient Fathers exhorte sinners to turne to God with inward penance only outward penance is required namely fasting praying Almes deeds and other painfull afflictions outward penance doth not preiudice the satisfaction of Christ from the merits whereof proceed's whatsoeuer it hath as conducing to heauenly blessedness SAtisfaction is a painfull and laborious exercise of some one or more outward good works namely fasting praying or giuing of Almes c. which a Penitent (a) Satisfaction consistes in the exercise of painfull works appointed and enjoyned by a Ghostly-Father in manner of commande and indeed if such works were required by way of counsell onely the Penitent might choose whether he would receiue the whole entire Sacrament of Penance or not being satisfaction pertaines to the integrity fhereof by command of his Ghostly-father * Satisfactio debet esse actus voluntarius nam qui inuitus poenanae sustinct dicitur potius satispati quam satisfacere voluntarily embraceth for the remitting of temporall paine due to his sins as offences against God together with full purpose to sin no more The prime propriety of satisfaction is to discharge the debt of temporall punishment which after pardon of sin in order to it 's mortall malice and eternall paine if the sin be mortall often times (b) The Council of Trent fess 6. cap. 14. declar's that satisfaction is one part of sacramentall penance enjoyn'd to the remitting of temporall paine which according to holy scriptures is not all waies taken away wholy together with the guilt of sin and the Council of Trent fess 14. cap. 8. expresly teacheth and cap. 12. defineth Sub Anathemate that often tymes God remitteth the guilt of sin vvithout foregiuing the temporall pain due thereto and vponthis catholick assertion is grounded christian faith in order to Indulgences and Purgatory the fire whereof purgeth away temporall pains due to sinnes afore remitted remaines behind vnpaid Although a penitent sinner by a perfect act of contrition or reall receiuing of the Sacrament of Penance finde grace again in the sight of his Creatour Neuertheless he is not alwaise deliuered from temporall afflictions For example God as soon as he saw Dauid's contrition and detestation of the adultery which he had committed with Bersebe and the Murther that the had exercised on Vrias her husband remitted the guilt of those sins and receiued him into fauour again yet notwithstanding his happy reconciliation he was left to endure many temporall calamities euen in order to the offences pardoned afore For afterward God raised euill against him in a great measure The child that was borne vnto him died the sword neuer departed from his own house sundry of his seed were violently slain and his people rebelled against him In like manner although Moyses and Aaron long before their death 's got remission of the guilt of their incredulity contracted * Num. 20. Moyses Aaron Deo contradicebant non loquentes ad Petram in conspectu filiorum Israel quod tamen Deus praeceperat illis at the waters of contradiction Num. 20. belieuing not God to sanctify them in the presence of the children of Israël (c) According to S. Anstin l. 16. con Faus Manich. c. 16. Moses and Aarons sin of incredulity was remitted them long afore their death yet in punishment of that very fault committed afore they were not suffered to conduct his people into the land of promise which was the thing they passionately coueted Again (d) S. Chrysostom hom 80. ad popul Antich discoursing vpon those words Math. 12. The men of Niniue did penance at the preaching of Ionas writes thus Euery where sack-cloath euery where Ashes euery where Teares and the king of Niniue himselfe left his Throne laid aside his Royall Robes put on a hair shirt and powdered his head with ashes whereby the Town was deliuered from destruction the people of Nineue at the preaching of Ionas the Prophet belieued in God Ionas 3. and turned vnto him in tribulation of soul wherby doubtless they procured pardon of their transgressions in order to the guilt therof Neuertheless they voluntarily afterward exercised works of satisfaction for they proclaimed a fast of three dayes put on sack cloath euen from the greatest to the least of them and turned from their euill wayes in bitternesse of sorrow Besid's S. Iohn Baptist Mat. 3. after he had seuerly reproached the Iewes to whom he preached saluation for their grieuous sinnes and exhorted them to penance he inferred vpon it thus do therfore fruits * S. Hierâ—â— nymus in 2. Joells per fructus dignos poenitentiae intellig in ieiunium orationes eleemosynas id ganus alia worthy penance thereby distinguishing penance that is to say inward contrition and detestation of sins comitted from outward good works thence proceeding as obserueth S. Gregory hom 20. in Euangelia And indeed a sinner that is really penitent detesteth and abhorreth his sinnes and turneth to the
signifies remission or fulnes of rest Iubilie which word Church-gouernours haue translated from the Hebrews to signifie full remission For in the times of the ancient Hebrews euery fifty yeare was named the yeare of Iubilie and holy vnto them for as much as each man did returne to his possession Gratis seruants were deliuered out of bondage and all inhabitants left their land vnlaboured enjoying full rest After the like manner in vertue of a christian Iubilie those temporall aduantages are supplyed by spirituall benefits namely rest from worldly delights employments and also deliuerance out of sin both in order to it's guilt and temporall pain corresponding therto for though the Iuâ—ilie it self be a releasing only of temporall paine yet through (o) According to the Popes intention the benefit of a Iubily cannot be obtain'd except confession of our sinnes goe afore and truly confession is required as a worke enjoynd and communion also according to the common opinion of catholick writers confession and contrition which ought to accompany it euen the guilt of sin is remitted in so much that a sinner which confesseth and detesteth his wickedness in compliance to the Iubily returneth to his possession of sanctifying grace lost afore The vsage of christian Iubilies was anciently practised though Pope Boniface the eight of that name about the year after Christ's Incarnation 1300. by an express written ordinance did institute that they should be celebrated in euery hundred yeare as appeareth by * In Extra de poenit remiss quae condita Juit anno 1630. iuxta Nauar notab 7. dicitur Antiquorum babet fida relatio quod accedentibus ad bonorabilem Basilicam principis Apostolorum in vrbe concessae fuerint magnae remissiones Indulgentiae peccatorum the Extra Antiquorum de poenitentijs remissionibus neuertheless they lay claim to a higher antiquity as doth plainly euidence the same extrauagant made in the yeare 1300. Wherefore it is an extream weakness in such as assert Iubilies to be new inuentions yet the Popes that succeeded in Church-gouernment afterward altered the institution of Boniface Clement the sixth reduced Iubilies to euery fifty yeare Vrban the second to euery thirty three yeare in memory honour and reuerence of the yeares Christ liued on earth again Paul the second and Sixtus the fourth contracted them to euery twenty fiue years and so they haue continued euer since CHAR. XV. OF PVRGATORY THE CONTENTS The soul 's of belieuing christians that remoue out of their bodyes in the state of grace and be not fully clensed from the dregs of sin endure punishment's in the lower part 's of the earth till they become fit for the enjoyment of their heauenly heritage which is inconsistent with vncleanes though some soul 's as soon as they depart out of their earthly Tabernacleâ— receiue the reward of faith and good works yet others are sent to prison Purgatory whence there is no deliuerance till the last sardin be paid God oft forgiues sin as to the mortall guilt thereof without remitting the veniall defects or temporall pains such soul 's onely goe to Purgatory as are liable to veniall fault 's or temporall satisfactions from which there is deliuerance before the generall Resurrection through the sacrifices suffrages fastings alms-deeds which the faithfull aliue offer to God to that intent and purpose The fire that by diuine dispensation tormentes good soul's in Purgatory is not imaginary or metaphoricall but true reall and corporall fire PVrgatory is a receptacle of soul 's deuested of their bodies which stand in need of the holy Churches suffrages and sacrifices for their deliuerance out of satisfactory pain 's due to the sinnes they committed when they were inuested with their bodyes Besides the receptacle of blessed souls which is the * CoeluÌ„ empyrcum est locus beatorum aterna vita fruentium highest Heauen (a) S. Austin in Psal 85. and Epis 99. calleth the receptacle of damned souls the Hell of Hell and according to the common opinion of diuin's Purgatory is not situated far from thence towards the Center of the earth Wherefore the holy Church sing's in the office of the Dead Deliuer o lord the souls of the faithfull departed from the pains of Hell that is from the pains of Purgatory So that S. Austin Epis 99. ad Euod expound's the scripture Act. 2. vvhom God rais'd vp loosing the sorrovves of Hell of Christ's discent into Hell that is into the lower parts of the earth which doubtless were not the Receptacle of damned souls whereby appears that the Hell of the damned was not the sole Receptacle of souls remou'd out of their bodyes and indeed holy scripture giues euidence enough of this catholick truth for Ecclesiasticus c. 24. personating Christ saith thus J vvill penetrate all the lovver part 's of the earth and vvill beholde all that sleepe and vvill enlighten all that hope in our lord From whence is plainly infer'd a Receptacle vnder earth different from the Hell of the damned in which soul's hope not in but blaspheme onr lord As to Christ's descending into the lower parts of the earth it is an article of christian faith and so euident a truth that S. Austin Epis 99. ad Euod expresly saith Who but an Jnfidel vvill deny that Christ descended into Hell and with intent according to the ancient Fathers to deliuer the Patriarchs and iust men which were detain'd there as Prisoners till his death and Resurrection and the receptacle of damned soul's which is the lowest Hell There is a third receptacle vnder earth of souls suffering vnto blessednes called Purgatory because the fire therof which is an instrument of the diuine Iustice purgeth out the leauen of veniall sinnes and weareth away temporall pains which euen iust men sometimes die liable vnto Though small faults and gentle debt's doe not vndoe the knott of reciprocall friendship that is once tyed between God and a sinner in vertue of perfect contrition or attrition with the helpe of sacramentall penance neuertheless they obstruct his passage to the kingdom of Heauen till they be fully compensed and satisfied for either in this life through voluntary act 's of sorrow and corporall afflictions or in the next through purgatiue fire wherby is meant Purgatory which is the (b) By the prison mention'd Mat. 4. the ancient Fathers vnderstand Purgatory for example S. Cyprian Epis 52. ad Antonia teacheth that some soul 's suddenly after their remouing out of their bodyes receiue the reward of faith and good works and a crown from our lord but others are sent to prison from which is no deliuerance till the last farthing be paid prison out of which there is no deliuerance till the vtmost farthing be paid Math. 5. for eternall life hath nothing of imperfection and consequently is inconsistent with all sort's of defects Wherefore since the soul 's euen of iust men after the quitting of their bodyes sometymes be lyable to satisfactory punishments
faith The Apostle that if our earthly house of this habitation be destroyed vve haue a building giuen of God ... eternall in heauen From this sacred Text S. Anselme infers that good souls as soon as they are deuested of their bodyes haue full enjoyment of heauenly blessednes and according to Saint Austin l. 2. de ciuit cap. 15. martyrs as soon as they be deliuered from their earthly tabernacles reigne in Heauen with Christ And Christ himselfe according to the Apostle Ephes 4. led captiuity captiue in the day of his glorious ascention that is then the iust souls that were detained as captiues in the lower parts of the earth namely lymbus called Abrahams bosom were translated into Heauen And S. Hierom Epis de obitu letae Novv she for a smal labour hath the enioyment of eternall blessedness as the earthly house of their habitation is destroyed are translated into an other building giuen of God their Creator that is an house not made with hands but eternall in Heauen and as now euery creature is a dark glass whereby God is seen in part so in the next life * Verbum diuinum propter repraesentandi perfectionē vocatur speculum fine macula God himselfe is a clear glass wherin creatures see him fully as he is that is perfectly if nothing of sin interuene to obstruct their passage to Heauen Now saith the Apostle * 2. Cor. 5. mūc videmus per speculum in anigmate sed tūc videbimus facie ad faciem Aug. in illud Aposto Philip. 1. sic scribit inde incipit requies quae non interrumpitur resurrectione sed clarificatur quae nunt fide retinetur wee see through a glass darkely but then shall wee see face to face (b) 2. Cor. 5. the Apostle teacheth that while we are in the body we are absent from our lord for we walk by faith and not by sight Wherefore he coueteth to remoue out of the body and dwell with Christ in consequence of which good souls enioy the clear vision of God before the generall resurrection for otherwise the Apostles earnest desire to remoue out of his body and dwell with Christ had been vain and impertinent since he might not enioy thereby blessednes which consists in the clear vision of God before the generall resurrection besids according to S. Aus l. 14. de Trinit cap. 2. to be present and dwell with Christ includs sight and excludes faith 2. Cor. 5. which words plainly shew that then * begineth the eternall when the transitory life endeth in consequence of which pure souls without offence after they be deliuered from their earthly tabernacles do not expect the generall resurrection to put them in possession of the clear vision of God and truly the desire of S. Paul expressed Philip. 1. and Ephes 5. to be remoued out of the body and to be present with Christ had been very vnprofitable and impertinent if the clear sight of God wherein consisteth the souls blessedness were to be differred for soe long a series of yeares and it matters not that to be present with Christ doth not include of necessity a clear sight of his diuinity for it appeareth by the words of the Text that the Apostle desired a full clear sight of Christ vnto blessedness in regard he speaketh of that presence with him which excludeth faith saying We know while wee are at home in the body that we are absent from Christ for we walke by faith and not by sight signifying thereby that when we are remoued out of the body we walke by sight and not by faith but it is the clear sight of God that abolisheth faith according to the doctrine of all ancient Fathers besids 't is in reason conuincing that Christ hath not appointed prisons to keepe the Saints of the new Testament out of Heauen hauing in his ascention trāslated thither the Saints of the old Testament which were detained afore as prisoners in the lowest parts of the earth Again God is far more inclined to reward the iust then to punish the wicked for his mercyes * Psal 144. miserationes eius super omnia opera eius exceed all his other works but his diuine Iustice (c) According to the Councill of Florence God punisheth wicked souls with eternall sensible paines as soon as they remoue out of their bodys inflicteth eternall sensible paine vpon wicked men sudainly after their remouall out of their bodyes wherefore doubtless iust men doe quickly after their death receiue their blessed rewards nothing of offence interuening to obstruct their passage to Heauen moreouer God is more iust in giuing labourers their hire then any man whosoeuer but a iust man doth not suffer the workemans hire to abide with him till morning Leuit. 19. Wherefore Since eternall blessedness that consisteth in the clear vision of God is the hire of good labourers in the diuine vineyard (d) According to the Councill of Florence in the decree of Eugenius and of Treat sess 25. in decret de inuocatione sanct the souls of the faithfull that remoue out of their bodyes cleansed from all sin and vncleanes see immediately the essence of God And S. Gregorie Nyss ora funebri in pulcheriam writeth thus The plant pulcheria is pluckt from vs but transplanted in paradice she is translated out of one kingdom into an other She hath put of her purple robe and put on the clothing of Heauens kingdom And all the ancient Fathers assert this Catholick truth namly S. Austin trac 128. in Ioan. S. Cyp. li. de exhort ad martyres cap. vltimo payment of it is made quickly after the finishing of their worke that is suddenly after their death wherewith endeth all meritorious working but there be two kinds of blessedness the one complete and full in order to both body and soul the other which is the principall and essentiall blessedness is not perfect as to the whole man but in respect of the soul only Now when the holy scriptures declare that blessedness or reward for good works is to be giuen after the generall resurrection they mean only of the consummation thereof which is full blessedness named the double stole of felicity in order to both body and soul and indeed Christ in the generall iudgment as appeareth by the 25. Chapter of S. Mathew will say after the same manner to the blessed Come ye blessed of my Father take the inheritance of the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world as he will say to the damned depart from me ye cursed into euerlasting fire which is prepared for the deuill and his Angels but Christ by this latter saying meaneth that after sentence of vniuersall iudgment is pronounced the damned whose souls were punished afore shall suffer euerlasting torments of fire in order both to the body and soul for the cōsummating of their misery wherefore by the other saying addressed to the blessed is meant that in the generall resurrection those
separation of his soul from his body in euidence of his superabundant loue (d) According to S. Ambrose one sole drop of Christs precious blood had been sufficient to redeem all mankind for one only drop of that precious liquor had been sufficient for the redemption of all mankind His extraction as man is deriued from the most illustrious Tribe of (e) Rom. 15. Isaias saith there shall be the root of Iesse and he that shall rise to rule ouer the Gentiles in him shall the Gentiles hope Christ was the flower that grew out of the root of Jesse that came of the stock of Iuda Iuda wherof he was * Apoc. 5. ecce vicit leo de tribus Iuda the conquering lyon he ouercame the world the deuil and the flesh the world by contemning it the deuil by putting down his principallity the flesh by Crucifying it As a lyon he appeared in his natiuity for it is the innate propriety of that royall Beast to wipe out with his sterne the prints of his feet that his steps may not be discouered and Christ in his Natiuity hid with the stern of his humanity his God head that it should not be perceiued by the deuil as a lyon * Gen. 49. requiescens accubuisti vt leo quasi leaena quis suscitabit eum he slept in his sepulchre none daring to awake him as a lyon he waked himselfe rising gloriously * Mat. 27. soluite hoc templum e in triduo reaedificabo illud in the third day of his dead sleep by the vertue of his own power and as a lyon he will come to the generall judgment to put down the authority power and principallity of all his enemies * 1. Cor. 15. cum tradiderit Regnum Deo Patri and deliuer the kingdom which is the Congregation of the faithfull neuer after to be exercised by the tyranny of the wicked to his diuine Father to whom as God he is equall as man inferior CHAR. VJ. OF THE NAME ISEVS THE CONTENTS The origen excellency and marueillous vertue of the name IESUS IESVS is the proper name of the son of man * Luc. 19. venit filius hominisquaerere saluum facere quod perierat that came into the world to seek and saue that which was lost and to heal and quicken that which was mortally wounded This is to say that the son of the Virgin Mary who is also the son of God is properly named (a) Isaias cap. 62. prophesied of the name IESUS and thou shalt be called saith he by a nevv name vvhich the mouth of our lord hath named That is the Angell of God whom the Prophet Zachary calleth the mouth of our lord and t is set down Mat. 1. that the words thou shalt call his name Iesus c. were vttered by an Angell IESUS which signifieth Sauiour being born to saue his people from their sins (b) S. Austin treating of Christs comming into the world writeth thus take avvay vvounds take avvay death if man had not perished the son of man had not come because there vvould haue been no need of remedies wherby he meaneth that if Adam had not sinned the son of God had not been the son of man which are the wounds and death that procured his coming or temporall generation As in the administration of Ecclesiasticall and ciuill gouernment names are giuen to men sutable and proper to the charges or offices they vndergoe for example the names Pope Bishop Emperour King Generall Admirall Maior c. so the son of the Virgin Mary was by * Mat. 1. vacabis nomen eius Iesum ipse enim saluabit populū à peccatis eorum diuino dispensation named IESUS Sauiour the generall redemption being committed to his charge And allbeit that this name was giuen to some others long afore for the holy Scriptures make mention of (c) Iesus Naue according to Ecclesiast 46. was a valiant warrier one IESUS Naue and (d) Iesus the son of Iosedech succeeded his Father in the office of high Priest Hag. 5. IESUS the son of Iosedech high Priest yet it was new and extraordinary in the son of the Virgin Mary first as to his Person being God and man and consequently far more excelling the other two then substances their shadowes or things figured their naked figures And Iesus Naue though a Gallant Captain howeuer he conducted only the people of Israëll into the land of promise which Moses before had brought out of Egygt but Iesus the son of the Virgin Mary came a guide to all nations vnto conducting them into the kingdom of Heauen of which the land of promise was a figure only as likewise Iesus Naue was a Type onely of Iesus the son of the Virgin Mary And though Iesus the son of Iosedech was a high Priest yet he did not perpetuate his Priesthood that dying with him but Iesus the son of the Virgin Mary * Hebr. 6. tu es Sacerdos in aternum is a Priest for euer enjoying an euer lasting Priest hood Besides Iesus the son of the Virgin Mary saued his people from their sins of slaues vnto Satan (e) S. Iohn the Euangelist cap. 5. writeth that Christ gaue power to be the sous of God vnto as many as receiued him he made Children of God and shewed mercy * Isai cuius misericordia super omnem carnem on all flesh Secondly as to the name it selfe that was new and marueillous also (f) Philip. 2. at the name of Iesus euery knee shall bovv of those vvhich are in heauen of those vvihch are on Earth and of those vvhich are vnder the Earth that is in Purgatory for those which are vnder the earth in the hell of the damned giue nothing of reuerence to the name of Iesus being obdurate in an abhorrence from it S. Hieron l. 3. Comment in Isa attesteth that in those daies bowing at the name of Iesus was counted à distinctiue sign wherby Christians were known from Iews which shewed noe more respect and reuerence when they heard Iesus named then when they hear'd the name of Satan or Pharaoh Howeuer Catholicks doe not honour the name of Iesus in regard of the Syllables letters or sound that it carries but because of the relation it has to the Son of God called Iesus Neither does this exhibition of Religious worship render them more guilty of superstition then are the subjects of a king when they shew a ciuill reuerence while they heare him named for at the name of Iesus the Son of the Virgin Mary euery knee bow 's of Creatures in heauen in earth and vnder the earth * Act. 4. non est aliud nomen in quo homines saluari possūt nisi in nomine Iesu Nazareni and it is the sole name that procureth saluation for man in respect and consideration wherof it hath been a holy constant custome amongst ancient Catholick Christians to bow at the name of
and offered at his last supper vnder the form's of bread and wine according to the Order of Melchisedech and that the Eucharist as it was instituted and celebrated was not only a Sacrament but also a sacrifice is plainly euidenced out of the words expressing the action that Christ vsed in the instituting and celebrating therof for example (c) The three Euangelists S. Mathew S. Mark and S. Luke express the words Christ vsed in the instituting and celebrating of the Eucharist in the present Tense for example IS GIVEN IS shed likewise S. Paul as to Christs body 1. Cor. 11. is broken Besides the French and Latin Bibles of Caluinists haue IS giuen for you IS shed for you But according to the Latin vulgar translation the particles giuen shed broken are expressed in the future Tence namely shall be giuen shall be shed shall be broken Howeuer Howeuer whether they be expounded in the present or future Tense it matters not since the sense is the same for although is giuen is shed carry the signification of the present Tense neuertheless the subsequent particles namely Do this in remembrance of me vntil our lord shall come to judge the quick and the dead 1. Cor. 11. imply the future Tense The Greek Church hath alwais vsed the future Tense in their Liturgies namely S. Iames. S. Clement S. Basil S. Chrysostome to proue that Christ offered the sacrifice of his body and blood when he was present with his Apostles at his last supper and indeed Christ himselfe paue euidence enough of this Catholick assertion by saying Hic Calix Sanguinis mei This Cup of my blood And the Latin Church vseth the future Tense shall be giuen shall be shed to shew plainly that Christ spoke not of his body and blood onely then at his last supper offered but of the same sacrifice that was to be offered for the future till he should come again to judge the quick and the dead This is my body which is giuen for you Luk 22. which S. Paul expresseth in other term's viz This is my body which is broken for you 1. Cor. 11. This is my blood of the new Testament which is shed for many Mar 14. This is my blood the new Testament that is shed for many vnto remission of Sins Math. 26. All which sentences import sacrificing since they containe the proper words of sacrifice as it is plainly deducible out of other euident Scripture-testimonies in consequence whereof the Eucharist instituted and celebrated by Christ in his last supper is not a Sacrament only but a sacrifice also Again the afore said Verbs namely to giue to break to shed are vttered in the present tense after the Greek Translation signifying that Christ did did not only offer sacrifice in a bloody manner on the Crosse but in an vnbloody also at his last supper (d) S. Luke cap. 22. expresseth the action that Christ vsed in the institution of the Eucharist as to his body vnder the elements of bread and wine in these words This is my body vvhich is giuen for you which S. Paul 1. Cor. 11. deliuers thus This is my body vvhich is broken for you and 1. Cor. 10. he saith The bread which we break is it not the participation of the body of our lord S. Chrysostome expounding this sacred Text demandes why S. Paul added to the words of the Euangelist vvhich vve break and answer's to his own question saying This is done in the Eucharist and not on the Cross vvhere no bone of him vvas broken Io. 19. According to S. Chrysostome as likewise Theodoret and Occumenius who were versed in the Greek tongue Christ suffered himselfe to be broken in the Eucharist vnder the form of bread vnto filling of all which he did not suffer to be done saith S. Chrysostome on the Cross vnto redeeming of all and indeed Calvin in his Commentary vpon the 11. Chapter set down noteth that the particles Is Broken signify is offered or is sacrificed whereby appear's that the Apostles intent and aime was to shew that Christs body was truly broken in the vnbloody oblation offered at his last supper for as much as the species of the consecrated bread were then truly broken Besides as the words of the action which Christ vsed in instituting and celebrating the Eucharist viz This is my body which is giuen for you This is my blood shed for many vnto remission of sins doe euidently import (e) The sacrifice of the Euchariste in as much as it appeaseth God rendereth him propitious and procureth diuine grace vnto remission of sin◠is truly a propitiotary sacrifice taken in the proper sense according to the ancient Fathers S. Gyprian S. Basil S. Chrysostome S. Ambrose S. Austin and the Council of Trent assertes this Catholick doctrine and addeth withall The sacrifice of the Eucharist according to Apostolicall tradition is not onely offeréd for sinnes pains satisfactions and other necessities but likevvisa for such as are dead in the state of grace and not sufficiently purged as yet a propitiatory sacrifice for blood to be shed is to be sacrificed for propitiation or pardon of sins so the words of precept which follow This is my body giuen for you namely doe this in remembrance of me That is in memory of my death and passion doe signify a commemoratiue sacrifice and consequently plainly demonstrate the Eucharist not to be a Sacrament only but (f) The ancient Fathers S. Cypr. Ep. 63. and Caeci Orig. in cap. 16. Mat. and others also compare the sacrifice Christ offered of his body and blood at his last supper vnto the sacrifice of the paschall Lambe and other sacrifices of the old law wherby appears that the sacrifice Christ offered at his last supper was a sacrifice taken in the proper sense wherfore S. Gregor Nyssen Ora. 1. de Resur saith expresly that Christ in celebrating the Euchariste at his last supper sacrificed himselfe before he was sacrificed vpon the Cross a sacrified also For otherwise it would not be a liuely and perfect commemoration or representation of the sacrifice offered on the Cross such as Christ requireth Luk. 22. for as a Sacrament cannot be perfectly represented but by an other Sacrament 〈◊〉 a sacrifice cannot be liuely represented but by another sacrifice there is necessarily required similitude and proportion between the thing that representeth and the thing represented for a man cannot represent an horse or an horse a man nor the saying of the Apostle 1. Cor. 11. as often as you shall eat of this bread and drink of this drink you shall shew the death of our Lord doth infirm the strength of this argument * Patres antiqui in tribus oecumenicis Concilijs puta Ephesino Calcedo Constantinop vt constat ex praefatione Ephesi sic interpretati sunt verbae Apostoli quotiescunque māducabitis mortem Domini annunciabitis For the true sense and meaning therof is that the sacrifice of the Eucharist which is
that went afore to wit with an oath by him that said vnto him Our lord hath sworne and will not repent thou art a Priest for euer according to the Order of Melchisedech 2. Outward oblation is obseruable which is expressed in the words wherby Christ consecrated his body and blood saying This is my body which is giuen for you (k) The Apostle S. Paul vseth the verbe giue in that signification when he mentioneth our redemption procured by the sacrifice of the Cross for exaÌ„ple Gal. 3. ad Tit. 2. likewise holy scripture vseth frequently the verb to shed for to Sacrifice Exod. 29. Leuit. 1.2.3 This is my blood of the new Testament which is shed for you which are the terms of proper sacrifice and were outwardly vttered in the last supper For indeed all the actions performed by Christ in celebrating the Eucharist were outward actions namly blessing of the bread giuing thanks to his diuine Father before consecration and * Christus in vltima coena manducauit corpus suum bibit sanguineÌ„ suum vna cuÌ„ Apostolis vt post s. Hiero alios Patres docet S. Thomas 3. p. q. 81. eating his own hody and drinking his own blood together with his Apostles after consecration 3. Oblation of a sensible permanent thing is obseruable vêªt videlicet Christ's body and blood which are sensible things vnder the form's of bread and wine which are sensible also 4. There is obseruable destruction or reall change in the oblation to wit by substantiall conuersion of the bread into Christ's body and wine into his blood Besides by eating and drinking therof the body and blood of Christ lose that sacramentall being they had by reproduction vnder the elements of bread and wine which is a reall change also 5. It was an oblation exhibited to God alone for Christ in celebrating the Eucharist addressed all his speeches to his diuine Father lastly there is obseruable recognition of diuine omnipotency as is plainly euidenced by the oblation it self since it succeeded not only in the room of the Pascall lamb but of all the other sacrifices of the law of Moyses and consequently ought to containe in it self the perfect morall signification essentiall to those sacrifices which is recognition of diuine omnipotency and representation of the sacrifice of the cross Nor is it inconuenient for a sacrifice going afore to be a representation or commemoration of a sacrifice comming after for all the old sacrifices went before the sacrifice of the crosse which neuertheless they represented How euer the sacrifice of the cross is only distinct from the sacrifice of the Fucharist as to the manner of offering bloodily or vnbloodily for the head-offerer is the same Christ and the thing offered the same also body and blood of Christ And albeit that Christ by one sole bloody oblation that is by once offering himself in a bloody manner consummated the generall redemption neuertheless he did not think fit to make that one generall oblation an effectuall redemption or remission of sins without the application therof for so he had entailed the kingdom of Heauen vpon euery sinner and consequently deuested himself of all power to disinherit any for what fault soeuer But the applicatiue perfection as to a sacrifice he gaue to the vnbloody oblation only which by his own institution and appointment is and shall be the externall seruice of the new Testament and the continuall application of his passion vnto sanctification As corporall remedies how perfect and sufficient soeuer doe no cure vpon a sick body that is to say are not effectuall remedies vnless they be applyed so Christ his death and passion though a spirituall remedy superabundantly sufficient to take away all the sins of the world neuertheless is not an effectuall remission of any till it be applied aright neither is the preeminent perfection of Christs death and passion a iot lessened therby application being necessarily requisit to its effect by Christ his own appointmeÌ„t And praiers which the faithfull offer to God one for an other doe not prejudice or diminish any part of the intercession which Christ himself made for his people while he liued vpon earth Io. 17. nor of those which sitting at the right hand of his diuine Father he presenteth continually Rom. 8. Heb. 7. But rather do apply the fruit therof to the effecting of the said faithfull their holy desires especially when prayers are offered by the Bishopps and Priests of the catholick Church vnto whom God hath committed the (l) God saith the Apostle 2. Cor. 5. Hath giuen vnto us the vvord of reconciliation novv then are vve Ambassadours for Christ God as it vvere exhorting by us Wherby is meant that Christ as man is the principall Minister vnto reconciling of sinners to God and for and in the room of Christ in order to the office of reconcilement the Apostles and their successors were instituted as his Vicars namely the Bishops and Priests of the Catholick Church Wherfore their absolution from sinnes by offering sacrifice and their ministring the Sacraments ought to be counted as Christs own absolution remission or pardon being the absoluing from and remitting sinnes in the room of Christ in like manner their preaching and exhorting in stead of Christ is as if it were Christ's own preaching and exhorting the office of Bishops and Priests being the Vicarship of Christ So that when the same Apostle saith Hebrae 8. that Christ onely is the Priest of the new law or Testament his meaning is that Christ is the chief Priest that is the Prince of Priests to whom as to his Ambassadours he hath committed the ministery of reconciliation In the old law according to the Apostle Hebrae 7. there was a series of many chief Priests succeeding one an other in that function for none of all them was of perpetuall durance But in our new law there is but one chief Priest or Bishop that shall endure for euer and all other Priests are his Vicars onely who in his room exercise Priestly function visibly wherfore Christ is chief Priest for euer and exerciseth his Priesthood by his substitute Ministers or Vicars which execute the office of reconciliation for him and in his room ministery of reconciliation for and vnder Christ who is the high Priest and chief Minister according to his humanity of mans reconcilement to God the others exercise Christs vicarshipp only These pray and minister sacrifice and Sacraments in Christs stead both vnto remission of sins and the verifying his For euer Priesthood according to the order of Melchisedech so that Christ is a Priest for euer after the right order and similitude of Melchisedech for as much as he dayly doth and shall to the end of the world offer by the Priests of the new law as his Vicars the vnbloody sacrifice of his own body and blood vnder the form's of bread and wine called by vse which is the arbitratour of words and language sacrifice of the
proper to things spirituall Christ meant the orall eating of his flesh and orall drinking of his blood saying The words that I speak vnto you that is those things my flesh and blood are * Trid. sess 13. ait Christum instituisse SacrameÌ„tum Eucharistiae taÌ„quam spiritualem animaruÌ„ cibum spirit and life and that is to say are spiritually cloathed after the imitation of spirituall substances exempted from the carnall proprieties which naturally adhere to flesh and blood in this mortall life but are no essentiall requisits there vnto whereby it is plain that the eating of Christs body and drinking of his blood in the Sacrament of the Eucharist may be said spirituall in reference to the spirituall being they haue therein Besides Christs body and blood be indeed spirituall supersubstantiall meate and drink wherby the substance of humane souls is supported and nourished spiritually As corporall meate doth repaire materiall breaches which naturall heate mak's in a materiall body so this spirituall meate doth repaire the spirituall ruines that the fire of concupiscence doth cause in a spirituall soul Also the eating of Christs body and drinking of his blood may bee termed spirituall through faith for as much as a Christian that eateth and drinketh worthily is vnited to Christ by faith which is aspirituall quality Again the eating of Christs body and the drinking of his blood may be styled spirituall because of Christs death and passion figured therein and this Sacrament imports * QuotiescuÌ„quo ait Apostolus manducabitis panem hunc calicem bibetis mortem Domini annunciahitis donec veniat a commemoration thereof so that a Christian receiuing worthily doth communicate with Christs passion suffered on the cross and this manner of spirituall locution is vsed sometimes by ancient Fathers who neuertheless expresly affirm Christ to bee truly (e) The second Council of Nice Act. 6. declares euidently that the Sacrament of the Eucharist ought not to be called the Image of Christs body because he did not say take eate the Image of my body also declares that in the Sacrament is the true body of Christ because he said This is my body really and substantially in the Sacrament of the Eucharist neither is the literall sense of words inconsistent with the spirituall signification of thinges which they express taken in the literall sense For example though Isaac and Ismael doe literally signify the two sons of Abraham as the history of Genesis plainly sheweth neuertheless the Apostle Gal. 4. by Ismael that was born of Agar a seruant spiritually and figuratiuely vnderstands the old Testament that was a law of bondage and likewise by Isaac that was born of Sara a free woman spiritually and figuratiuely vnderstandeth the new Testament which is a law of liberty and grace and indeed all Sacraments whatsoeuer besides * Aug. l. 2. con aduers legis c. 9. ait Christi locutionem nisâ— manducaueritis c. codem modo esse figuratam ac duo filij Abraha fuâ—â—unt duo Test amenta Jsaac Ismael secuÌ„dum literam vere de facto fuerunt filij Abraha figurabant tamen duo Testamenta Idem Aug. l. 3. de doct Christ c. 16. ait illam Christi locutionem nisi manducaueritis c. figuratam esse quatenus praecipit communicandum passioni Christi vtiâ—â—ter recondendum in memoria quod pro nobis caro Christi crucifixa sit Non negat tamen dictam locutionem in sensu literali etïam intelligi de reali oralâ— manducatione corporit Christi bibition◠〈◊〉 sanguinis sub spocicbus consecratis panis vins their literall doe admit a spirituall or figuratiue construction being defined visible figures or signes of spirituall invisible grace The Sacrament of Circumcision according to the literall meaning thereof did signify corporall circumcision as to the foreskin of the flesh called prepuce and according to it 's spirituall and figuratiue signification did import spirituall circumcision as to the foreskin of the heart which is of spirituall vices as also did shadow grace giuen in the new law In like manner the words vttered in baptism I baptise thee taken in the literall sense which is expressed immediatly by the said words doe signify reall washing of naturall water as to the body and taken in the spirituall sense they signify spirituall washing of grace * Aug. vnde tanta vis aquae vt corpus tangat cor vero abluat as to the soul Furthermore the words whereby Christ instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist in full performance of the promise afore mentioned Io. 6. giue cleare euidence of Christs meaning in recognition of a reall eating of his body and reall drinking of his blood The words of institution according to the consenting Testimonies of all ancient and modern writers are these This is my body which is giuen for you Luc. 22. This is my body which shall be deliuered for you This Chalice is the new Testament in my blood 1. Cor. 11. This is the blood of the new Testament which shall be shed for you Mar. 14. This is my blood of thenew Testament that shall be shed for many vnto remission of sins Mat. 26. Which words of Christ being as plainly and clearly vttered as to the litterall sense as those of God the Father in the Transfiguration of Christ to wit This is my son Mat. 30. and consequently there beeing no more reason to wrest the former then the latter words to a figuratiue signification it is a manifest blindnes in the Caluinists and other ancienter sectaries to wrest the proper cleare words and to substitute in their room improper obscure tropes and figures without any ground of reason for what can be more vnreasonable then to think that Christ saying This is my body which shall bee deliuered for you 1. Cor. 11. This is my blood which shall bee shed for many vnto remission of sins Mat. 26. meant a figure (f) Both canon and ciuil lawers treating of Testaments legasies and contracts teach that we must not recede from the words of the Testament nor from the rigour thereof and that we ought to presume of the Testatours intent and meaning according to the signification of the words taken in their proper sense of his body only and a figure of his blood only since a figure was not deliuered in a Sacrifice but Christ's true reall substantiall body nor a figure was shed vnto remission of sins but Christs true reall and substantiall blood Besides a thing that is mysterious vnheard of afore and instituted for an article of faith as is the Sacrament of the Eucharist of necessity ought to bee propounded (g) According to S. Chrysostome Hom. 83. in Mat. because Christ said This is my body we must not doubt of but belieue it to be so And S. Austin Tom. 8. in psal 33. saith expresly that when Christ gaue the Sacrament of the Eucharist he did that which no other could do for Christ saith
impossible outward extension in order to place being an accidentall propriety only of a body cloathed with quantity as naturall Philosophy teacheth and consequently the want thereof destroieth not the nature or essence of a body as naturall Philosophy teacheth also Besides though the light of the sun be a corporeall quality neuertheless it is well nigh in infinite places at once likewise the words of a preacher are corporall things which in the same moment of time possesse the eares of all such as are attentiue to his sermon and one man walking in a Chamber where be placed sundry looking-glasses his Image appeareth in each of them at the same time in consequence of which doubtless God in the virtue of his word can put supernaturally one singular Man in many places since his figure which is some thing doth naturally occupate many looking-glasses at once Out of the premises plainly followeth that the Sacrament of the Eucharist hath a singular prerogatiue beyond all the other Sacraments of the new law in as much as it is not an effectuall instrument only to confer diuine grace which is a soueraign Antidote against the poyson of sin but it containes and giues also the Author of grace wherfore it comprehends within it self both the sweetness of inherent sanctity and the giuer therof which is all sweet being the fountaine of sweetness and sweetnes it self whereunto the faire spowse in the Canticles inuiteth saying Tast yee and see how sweet our lord is Howeuer as Manna which was a figure of this Sacrament as to Christs body did seem bitter and loathsome to the ill minded and pleasant only to the good Israelites In like manner Christs body to Christians that receiue it vnworthily is the bitterness of death vnto death and to others that eat it aright the sweetness of life vnto life so fier that purgeth gold consumes wood soe the suns light that recreat's the sound offend's the vnsound eyes so the sweet sauour of an oyntâ—â—ent that refreshes doues kill 's beetles Christians by eating Christs naturall body worthily are not vnited to him only * Eph. 5. quia membra sumus de corpore eius de car ne â—â—us de ossibus cius through faith and charity mystically but really and are flesh of his flesh and bones of his bones Eph. 5. To eate worthily vnto a naturall vnion with Christ a christian ought * 1. Cor. probet autem seipsum homo sic de pane illo edat vnde dc Sacramento corporis sanguinis Christi canit Ecclesia mors est malis vita bonis to examine himselfe afore and purge out the leauen of vice Christ hath * Nulla conventio Christi ad diabolum nulla conventio charitatis ad peccatum mortale no concord with sin nor consequently vnion with a soul that sin hath dominion ouer Christs body will not be * Luc. 23. in sindone muÌ„da in sepulchro in quo nondum quisquaÌ„ positus sit wrapped but in a pure linnen cloath that is to say in a clean heart nor will be laid in a Tombe that is not hewen out of a rock wherin neuer any laid afore As there is no agreement betwixt Christ and Belial no communion betwixt sanctity and iniquity no society betwixt light and darkness so there is noe vnion betwixt Christs body and a Christian that serue's Belial delight 's in iniquity and walkes in darkness wherfore let no Christian thinke to tye a knot of vnion with Christ if he shall put his body where allready is * L. 6. super cap. 9. Lucae ait nemo accipit cibum Christi nisâ— fuerit ante sanatus Et Aug. trac 26. in Joan. sic praecipit Innocentiam ad altare portate established Belial that is to say the deuill through mortall sin and truly Christians that * 1. Cor. 11. qui manducat bibit indignè reuâ— erit sanguinis corporis Domini vnworthily receaue the body of Christ as much as lyeth in them doe betray him to the deuill putting him in a place the deuill command's in and consequently become guilty of Christ's body and blood in as high a measure (k) According to S. Chrysostom hom de non contemnenda Ecclesia hom 8 ad popul Antioch those which receiue the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ vnworthily doe an iniury to Christs proper person like the Iewes and Gentils that crucified him as Iudas that betrayed him to the Iewes As the children of Israel were forâ—idden Exod. 12. to cate the paschall lambe which was a figure of Christs Sacramentall body too * Exod. 12. non comedetis ex eo crudum quid nec coctum sed tantum assum igne raw or boiled butrosted only so Christians be prohibited to eat Christs body raw that is before the fire of charity hath prepared them for it or boiled namely in luxury and voluptuousness but rosted only viz. at the fire of a contrite heart inflamed with the memory of Christ * Ecce agnus Dei inquit Apostolus qui tollit peccata muÌ„di the lambe of God that was rosted in the hot furnace of affliction for the taking away the sins of the world CHAR. IX OF COMMVNION IN BOTH KIND'S THE CONTENTS Christ instituted the holy Euchariste vnder the elements of both bread and wine Christ by his institution did not oblige the Church to dispense the Euchariste vnder both kinds Christ left it in the Churches power to giue the Euchariste to lay-people vnder one or both kinds accordingly as she should think fit in order to tymes places and persons those which receiue the Euchariste vnder one sole kind haue nothing less nor such as receiue vnder both kinds haue nothing more of Christ nor of the Sacramentall grace if there be parity in the receiuers as to worthiness obiections answered Communion in both kinds is the receiuing of Christs reall body and blood vnder the two Sacramentall shapes or element's of bread and wine afrer Christ's own institution Mat. 26. Mar. 14. Luc. 22. Howeuer from thence it followeth not that communion vnder both kindes is necessary to the whole Church ioynt and separate vnto saluation for matrimony and the orders of Bishops and Priests doe challenge diuine institution neuertheless none of them be necessary to each member of Gods Church A Priest celebrating as he ought to consecrate the body and blood of Christ vnder distinct elements through distinct form's of words for as much as he then representes Christ's person supplyeth his room and offereth an vnbloody sacrifice on the Altar that is an express remembrance of Christ's bloody sacrifice offered on the cross wherein his blood was seperated from his body in consummation of the generall redemption so he ought likewise to communicate in the distinct consecrated elements but communion in order to lay-people which are no Priest's Christ hath left free (a) According to S. Austin Epis 108. Christ left power vnto
exercise of good works opposite therto namely fasting praying Alms deeds c. S. Iohn did not require of the sinfull Iewes inward detestation of their transgressions only but exacted likewise the exercise of painfull works outwardly as to compensation or satisfaction thereof wherefore as fruit's do suppose the Tree that produceth them so good work 's which be fruites of penance suppose sinnes pardoned afore through penance taken in the sense mentioned in consequence whereof they suppose somthing of temporall paine due therunto otherwise they ought not to be called fruit's worthy of penance since after the remission of sinn's in order to the guilt thereof nothing remaineth that requireth fruit's worthy of penance if temporall pain be laid aside for the malice of sin which is it's mortall guilt cannot be taken away in part to wit partly by contrition and partly by painfull works outwardly exercised being indiuisible and without parts so that to exclude temporall punishments as due to sins remitted afore is to ascribe nothing to outward works of satisfaction in reference to penance which is contrary to the word 's vttered by S. Iohn Do fruites worthy of penance And hereby is required besid's meer works of penance proportion between the works and the sin 's committed as plainly shew's the word worthy * S. Grego hom 20. non debet inquit esse par fructus boni operis eius qui minus eius qui amplius peccauit For example one that sinneth little is liable to less satisfaction then another that sinneth much Caeteris paribus and although sacramentall satisfaction be proper only to the new law established by Christ yet taken in the generall sense in order to temporall paine that remain's after the guilt of sin is blotted out was in all times a necessary requisite for the obtaining eternall life as doe clearly euidence the scripture-testimonies sett down Howeuer no satisfaction is worthy vnless the Penitent that satisfyes be in the state of grace and therby incorporated into Christ for satisfaction is made worthy only through the merits of his death and passion the application wherof is an effect of his supernaturall friendship which is not between him and a sinner continuing in the state of mortall sin in consequence of which outward works worthy penance do suppose sanctifying grace in him that worketh worthily vnto remission of temporall paine Furthermore this catholick doctrine is euen agreable to the dictates of naturall reason for as much as amongst men it is not enough that he who wound 's the honour of his neigh hour conceiue inward griefe of that offence only but he ought also to exercise an outward action to the restoring of the honour taken away which hath something of satisfaction in order to the party offended and something of pain in order to him that offendeth so (e) According to S. Leo. ser 7. de Epiph. Domini No man is so clens'd from sin as that neither iustice can findein him what to condemne nor mercy what to pardon it is expedient for him that is a penitent besids an act of inward detestation of his sins to endure something to the satisfying of God as to the dishonour done him therby and as by sinning he hath vsed ill the creatures of God taking inordinate delight therin so he ought to suffer from creatures something of affliction to the repairing of the injury that God suffereth on that score the diuine iustice exacting that satisfaction of penitent sinners whom he chasteneth after their admittance into his fauour God scourgeth euery son Hebrae 12. whom be receiueth for his better correction and amendment Again since euery sin how great and malicious soeuer is remitted as to the guilt therof by (f) Contrition necessary to iustification requires not any certain degree of intensness or certain endurance of tyme for contrition how remiss soeuer it be and how litle soeuer it endures is either formally and indeed an act of perfect charity or importes as much in consequence of which the least measure or degree of true contrition that includes the loue of God aboue all things is inconsistent with deadly-sin euery contrition how litle-soeuer contained within the bound of true contrition and since most sin's haue an * Haecinaequalitatis ratio deprōpta est ex Concil Trid. quod sic ait qui non peccarunt per ignorantiā quique semel a peccari daemonis seruitute liberati accepto Spiritus sancti dono sciētes Templum Dei violare Spiritum sanctum cōtristare non formidarūt minori venia indulgentia digni sunt vnequiall and different malice one being greater then an other reason requires in conformity to diuine equity and iustice that a sinner who through lesser contrition is reconciled to God and becom's Heire of blessedness doth so receiue remission of sins that neuertheless he suffer withall something of affliction to compense the remissnes of his contrition In respect of this painfull satisfaction endured after the remission of the guilt of sins the Sacrament of penance is called by holy Father 's a Laborious baptism whereby it is distinguished from the Sacrament of baptism which washeth away at once both the pain and guilt of sinns as often as it is worthily receiued and the reason of difference in order to their effects respectiuely beside the will of God that hath invested these two Sacrament's with an vnequall power of working is because such as after the receiuing of sanctifying grace through baptism whereby they be deliuered out of the seruitude of sin and the diuell doe knowingly and by a voluntary act of their own will sinne again pollute the Temple of God which is their soul and grieue the Holy Ghost as far as lyeth in their reach deserue less pardon and indulgence in consequence whereof the application of Christ's merits made in the Sacrament of penance ought to be less perfect in order to remission then the application of the same merits made in the Sacrament of haptism yet it would not be less as to perfection if meer contrition or the meer Sacrament of penance should at all tymes procure full remission in order to the guilt eternall and temporall paine of sins committed after baptism (g) S. Chrysos hom 5. in Epis ad Hebrae makes this difference between the wicked that receiue from God in this life riches dignities c. and the good which endure miseries and afflictions to wit God so carries himself toward 's the wicked that albeit he let 's them haue full enjoyment of worldly fortunes neuertheless will punish them in the next life But during the present life God is wont to punish the good that deliuer'd thereby from the vncleaness of sin they may depart out of the world without reproach Wherefore the Sacrament of penance doth not so remit sins but that in remitting the eternall pain corresponding to the malice of them it changeth eternall into temporall paine that remaines behinde as a iust
wherof is the spirituall treasure laid vp in the Churches spirituall Treasurie and by her supream Pastour dispensed The end for which God ordained the mistery of the Incarnation was not to remit sin only but the pain of it also wherfore Christ did not giue the great price of his suffering's for sin alone but likewise for the paine corresponding thereunto in consequence of which t' is necessary that (b) According to the definition of Pope Leo the tenth that condemned Luther the Church of God possesses a spirituall Treasure of Indulgences consisting of the aboundant satisfactions of Christ and the blessed Saincts and this catholick assertion is set down in the Councils of Constance ses 8. and of Trent ses 21. c. 9. where Indulgence are named Celestiall Treasure likewise this latter Council declares that Christ hath giuen to his Church Indulgences and power to grant them when the price or satisfaction is abundant and exceedeth the greatness of the debt contracted something of it remaine vnexhausted and vnapplyed but the satisfaction of Christ was so aboundant that in respect of the infinite dignity thereof it was sufficient enough to redeeme the sins of all men joynt and seperate if it had been applyed * 1. Cor. 5. Christus mortuus pro omnibus 1. Jo. 2. ipse Christus est propitiatio pro peccatis nostris c. for Christ died for all 1. Cor. 5. and was a full propitiation for our sins and not for our sins only but also for the sins of the whole world 1. Io. 2. Wherfore something of Christ's satisfaction still remain's to shew in Ages to come the exceeding riches of his suffering's which are the spirituall Treasure reserued in the Treasury of his holy spouse the Church to the benefit of her and her children and truly the aboundant goods that a louing Husband purchaseth he leaues to the vse of his wife and children in consequence whereof Christ bath left all his aboundant and vndisposed riches of his aboundant satisfaction to the Church * Legatione pro Christo fungimur inquit Apostolus Paulus and the dispensation thereof to the supream Minister for him on earth Although all Christ's sufferings considered as merits precisely * Luc. 4. Nonne bac oportuit ChristuÌ„ pati sic intrare in regnum suum Et Philip. 2. humiliauit semetipsum vsque ad merteÌ„ mortem autem Crucis propter quod Deus exaltauit illum deâ—it ill◠〈◊〉 quod est super â—mne nomen were rewarded in the glory of his body (c) According to the holy scripture Philip. 2. Christ humbled himselfe and became obedient vnto death euen the death of the cross wherfore God exalted him and gaue him a name aboue euery name and the exaltation of his holy name neuertheless they did not receiue a full reward therby for as concerning the body's glory of necessity it doth accompany the blessedness of the soul which by naturall consequence is deriued into it if no hindrance interuene wherfore since Christ did not merit the glory of his soul that had full enjoyment of the beatificall vision in the first moment of it's assumption the glory of his body cannot be the reward of his merits neither could the exaltation of his name exhaust all his merit's since one action of Christ alone was sufficient to deserue both the exaltation and the glory of his body wherby is plainly euident that many meritorious actions exercised by Christ are laid vp in the spirituall Treasury of the Church Howeuer though it were granted that the glory of Christ's body and the exaltation of his name did equall all his actions joynt and seperate considered as meritorious to a full reward yet it cannot be said shat his satisfactory actions are exhausted therby For satisfaction is only ordained to remit temporall paine due vnto sin which was inconsistent with Christ's impeccability and sithence all the sins of the world were not sufficient enough to exhaust his satisfactions they containing an intrinsecall infinity of worth and dignity for as much as they were the products (d) The infinit prize of Christ satisfaction proceeded from the infinite dignity of his diuine person that was intrinsecally annex'd vnto it for as S. Thomas teacheth actiones sunt suppositorum But if there were an infinite vnworthines or deformity in the sinnes of all men ioynt and seperat t is extrinsicall onely because it comes meerly of the object which is extrinsicall namely God whom a sinner offendes in consequence whereof the infinite valour or worthiness of Christ's satisfaction far exceeds the vnworthiness of sin taken in it's whole possible latitude of his diuine person doubtlesse some part of these satisfactions doe remain still in the Churches Treasury to be dispensed for the benefit of the faithfull vnto remission of temporall paines due to their sins which was the sole end and motiue of all his actions considered as satisfactory because it is proper to satisfaction only to remit temporall punishment's due to sins Neither is it inconuenient that one and the same action exercised by Christ should haue somthing of merit and somthing of satisfaction for by his bitter passion he merited the exaltation of his name and the glory of his body Luk 24. Philip 2. yet other scripture-testimonies plainly declare that he suffered for us and satisfyed for our sins 2. Cor. 4 and indeed euident experience sheweth different effects to proceede from one and the same indiuiduall cause for doubtless he that charitably prayeth for his enemies by one and the same prayer may obtaine somthing of aduantage in order to them and something of reward in order to himselfe as appeareth by the promises which God hath made to such as loue their enemies and wheras the sufferings of the blessed Saints (e) A good worke is counted meritorious for as much as it proceed's from a man inuested with sanctifying grace which is the ground of merit howeuer a meritorious work is satisfactory also when it is perform'd with pain and labour had something of merit and something of satisfaction for they were meritorious in as much as they proceeded from them through sanctifying grace which is the root and prime cause of good merits and in as much as the exercise therof was laborious and painefnll they were satisfactory it followeth clearly that though God hath rewarded them with blessedness * Deus praemiat vltra dignitatem euen beyond what they did merit and consequently all their merits are fully exhausted yet because remission of temporall pain due to sin is the reward of satisfaction painfull suffering as satisfactory had no full reward in the persons of sundry blessed Saint's and therfore remained vnrewarded and vnexhausted in order to them For (f) The Council of Trent defineth that the Virgin Mary neuer committed mortall or veniall sin example the Mother of God had not the least guilt of sinne yet * Et tuam ipsius inquit S. Lucas
him that is ordained a Bishop which is the Tenet of all catholick writers that assert Episcopacy to deriue it's institution from Christ and to be an ecclesiasticall order taken in the proper sense for the Council of Tent sess 23. c. 4. can 4. doth define the Sacrament of Order to imprint a character which definition being absolute without restriction or distinction between one order and an other it doth euidently follow that all orders doe imprint a character which is a spirituall signe deriued into the soul wherby a man is muested with power to exercise certain ecclesiasticall functions in order to the ministery of the Eucharist and it matters not that the priestly is more worthy and excellent then the Episcopall character as distinct from it for the impression of a new and distinct character is not grounded in the more or less perfection and excellency of a precedent character but in the distinction of powers and abilities in reference to exercising the ministery of the Euchariste neither Matters it that Fathers and Councils when they number the Sacraments of the new law do acknowledg seuen only comprehending holy order for one for in so numbring of them they consider holy Order in (l) According to the Ancient Fathers ordination of a Bishop and a Priest is said to be one and the same that is taken in the generall sense and holy order so taken is but one Sacrament onely but a Bishop taken in the proper sense euen according to S. Hierom. Dial. con Lucif hath in the Church the preeminence which Aaron had in law of Moses and to meer Priests he giues that Degree of preeminence onely into which the sons of Aaron were inuested Besides s. Epiphan l. de Sacerdot dignit c. 6. calleth Episcopacy a Deified Order and cap. 7. assert's difference between a Bishop and a meer Priest being God exact's not the same thing 's from a Priest as from a Bishop that has preeminence aboue him a genericall signification as it containeth all it's sundry species or kinds Wherfore in as much as according to the rules of Logick what can be rightly affirmed of a thing taken in the generall sense may be also affirmed of all the sundry species contained therin it doth plainly follow that since ecclesiasticall order taken in its genericall signification is a Sacrament and doth imprint a Character euery true species therof is a Sacrament and imprinteth a Character In like manner Fathers and Councils reckoning seuen Orders they do coÌ„prehend Episcopacy vnder Priesthood And for as much as Christ had but one spouse which is the Church a Bishop and a Priest that supplieth his room and representeth his Person in the ministery ought to be married to the Church only * S. Hieron in sua Apolog con Jouin Apostoli inquit vel virgines vel post nuptias contineÌ„tes fuerunt id est absquo vxorum consortio wherfore the Apostles after they were ordained Bishops and Priests led their life 's in all godliness purity and chastity and this apostolicall practice Bishops and Priests down from them to these times haue religiously obserued S. Hierom L. in vigilantium exclaimeth against some Modern Hereticks of those times for taking such of the people only to be Priest's as had (m) According to the second Council of Carthage continency was enioyned to Bishops and Priests the ancient Fathers there assembled declaring with one accord that they ought to obserue it being the Apostles taught it and antiquity kept it Besides the first Council of Nice put forth an ordinance that Bishops Priest's and Deacons should entertaine no woman in their families except Mothers Grand-mothers sisters and Aunts making no mention of wifes From whence S. Basil Epis 17 infer's that to take wifes after the receiuing of holy Order was not permitted And indeed Clergy-men of those dayes had so great a reuerence to chastity that euen the Arian Bishop's ordain'd no man that was marryed as witnesseth S. Epiphan her 37. moreouer it was neuer permitted in the Church of Christ that a Bishop or Priest might marry as appear's by the Testimonies of ancient Fathers of the Greek Church though now this Church faln into schism differs from the Latins in opinion and practice as to such as had wifes before their ordination wiues contrary to the custome of both the Eastern and western Churches that allwaies promoted to the Maior-orders Virginia or such as were esteemed chast and pure from all carnall vncleaness and though in the primitiue times when there was great scarcity of single persons as proper and fit to be ordained Bishops Priest's Deacons and Sub-Deacons the Church-gouernours tooke of married men for the exercising those functions neuertheless these did not accompany with their wiues after their ordination but led their liues in all purity and chastity as did their wiues also according to a mutuall promise of continency and since the Priests of the old law to whom marriage was permitted as it were of necessity to multiply the people of God and who did sâ—adow only in their ministery what the Priests of the new law do really offer in their sacrifices viz. the true and reall body and blood of Christ in memory of his death and passion did abstain not only from the carnall embracement's of their wiues but also from the houses wherin they resided before they were to enter into the Temple for the performance of their spirituall functions respectruely it is most consonant as to reason that Priest's of the new law doe obserue continency together with purity and holyness Besides the vnmarried careth for the things of our lord how he may please him but he that is married careth for the things of the world how he may please his wife 1. Cor. 7. Wherfore such as leaue the world to be ordained Bishops Priest's Deacons and Sub Deacons ought to leade a single life without wifes and truly in regard therof there is less danger of dissipating ecclesiasticall goods and conuerting them to the making vp of inheritance for Clergy-mens children Furthermore Priests vnmarried are in a better condition to reproue the vices of lay-people then if they were married and for as much as they are single men they be less vnquiet contentious and troublesome to their flock not seeking to enrich children which they haue not Iouinianus and VigilaÌ„tius were the first sectaries that stood vp in defence of Priests marriages and Luther and Caluin raysed vp againe that heresy after that it had been dead and buried for many ages teaching that it is not only lawfull for Peiests to marry before but euen after their ordination These are followd by all the sectaries of the present times And knowing well that the opinion contradicteth all antiquity they labour to make it agree with the holy scriptures whence they cut out weak interpretations and form coniecturall deductions only abusing sundry text's for Example God says Gen. 1. bring forth fruit and multiply whence they very weakly
can sacro-sancta the Apostolicall sea did not receiue supremacy and preeminence from the Apostles but from our Sauiour himselfe and indeed Christ founded and built his Church vpon S. Peter Mat. 16. Thou art Peter and on this rock I vvill build my Church .... and J vvill giue vnto the the keys of the kingdome of heauen Again Christ praid especially for S. Peter and after his resurrection appointed him to feed all his sheepe and lambs Moreouer S. Peter as head and Prince of the other Apostles called the first Councill which was celebrated between the Ascention and Pentecost And in the second Council mentioned act 15. spoke first and decided the matter in debate Bishop of Rome as lawfull successour of S. Peter in suprem authority and there is not any except the Roman Church that hath published and planted the one holy apostolicall faith from the rising of the sun to the goeing down therof which denoteth its vniuersality an order to place there is not any except the Roman Church that can rockon pastours and Teachers in a continuall line of succession down from S. Peter to the present times which sheweth its vniuersality in order to time there is not any Church-Gouernour saue the Bishop of Rome to whose definitiue sentence of iudgment (x) S. Anaclete Epis 1. commanded that euery hard question should be referd to the sea Apostolick because saith he the Apostles so appointed by speciall command from Christ Wherefore Tertullian calleth the Pope king of the world and stiles Rome the Chief and Apostolicall seat whether saith he wee ought to recur in all doubtfull matters relating to faith Besids S. Austin that was a member of the African Church Epis 9. addressing himselfe to Pope Innocent in order to the Pelagians whom he impugned writeth thus ... that errour and impiety of the Pelagians the authority of the sea apostolick must anathematize Again the Council of Alexandria cals Pope Felix prophanarum haresium depositor the deposer of prophan heresies hard controuersies of faith haue been referred in all ages Furthermore it is essentiall to the true Church to begett children in Iesus-Christ through the Gospell 1. Cor. 4 that is to say to bring whole countries out of darkness of infidelity into the maruelous light of Christian faith which not any except the Roman Church hath performed Sectaries like partriges haue gathered children * Ieremiae cap. 17. perdix fouet seu congregat quae non peperit Vnde S. Aug. assimilat haereticos perdici which they haue not brought forth but the Roman Church hath begotten vnto Christ a world of children both in the primatiue times for the first 500. yeares and since For Germans Bauarians Vandals Polans Sweds Danes Noruegians Hungarians Normans English and sundry other Countryes since the yeare 600. were begotten in Iesus-Christ through the Gospell by Priests and Bishops of the Roman Church as plainly appears by the ancient and modern histories written of each people respectiuely And as touching our country of Englād that embraced the catholick faith through the preaching of S. Austin a Priest and Bishop of the Roman Church after its conuersion which happened in the reign of S. Ethelbert for near a thousand yeares continued obedient to the Bishop of Rome and constant in the profession of the catholick religion as do euidence our ancient Cronicles laws common laws ordinances Records foundations of Bishopricks Cathedrall Churches vniuersities colleges and hospitalls which remain monuments of these dayes to beare clear witnes of catholick religion wherfore it is a wonder how English Magistrats come to look with so enuious an eye vpon their catholick subiects as to persecute them for conforming their conscience to the full and constant profession of all their christian progenitours CHAR. XX. OF TRADITIONS THE CONTENTS Down from the Apostles to these times the true Church of God hath been directed and gouernd by the written and vnwritten word as by laws and customs doctrines necessary to saluation which the Apostles receiued either from the mouth of Christ or from the holy Ghost by inspiration were deliuered to the faithfull of those dayes partly in written and partly in vnritten traditions if the Churches authority and vnwritten traditions were laid a side scriptures would haue nothing of waight with them vnto euincing christian religion Answeres vnto seuerall obiections propounded against the Churches traditions TRaditions are vnwrtten doctrines deliuered by the mouth of Christ or his Apostles and committed vnto the keeping of the Church (a) 1. Cor. 11. as I haue deliuered vnto you saith S. Paul keep my precepts From this sacred Text Theophilact infers that both S. Paul and the other Apostles deliuered many things which they did not set down in writing called traditions not because they are not at all written but in regard there is no express mention thereof in the holy scriptures for t is certaine that the traditions receiued from the Apostles and deliuered as it were from hand to hand for sundry ages are now written as precepts of faith and generall manners necessary vnto saluation Though the whole scripture is giuen by inspiration of God and is profitable to teach to conuince to correct and to instruct in iustice 2. Tim. 3. Yet it is not the same thing to be a profitable guide in the way of iustce and saluation and to be the sole expedient necessary therunto for a head is both profitable and necessary to preserue a man aliue neuertheless it alone without the society and ministery of the body is not sufficient enough to continue him aliue likewise the Sacrament of Eucharist conduceth to the purchase of eternall blessedness yet cannot effect it without the help of baptism and faith and the Chapter set down expresly asserteth that euen the old scriptures instruct to saluation and notwithstanding the Apostle requireth of Timothy perseuerance in the doctrines which he had heard of him besides what he had learned from them wherin he had been versed from (b) By the particles from his infancy euidently appeares that the Apostle spoke of these scriptures which Timothy had learned in his youth that is he meant the old testament being the new scriptures were not written when Timothy was a youth Wherefore when the Apostle writ vnto him that all scripture is profitable c. he could not vnderstand the whole body thereof as some sectaries vnaduisedly interprete him translating whole for all And indeed when the Apostle writ that Epistle to Timothy the whole body of scripture was not composed S. Iohn had not then put forth his Gosple and his Apocallps he writ after the death of S. Paul him infancy again albeit the scriptures be a great light neuertheless they doe not giue light to all a en within the house of God whose written doctrines they are vnless they be put vpon the candlestick of the Churches definitions and vnwritten traditions for setting these aside scriptures are but a light shining in a dark place 2.