that Nestorius Macedonius arch-hereticks succeeded to S. Andrew the Apostle in the Church of Constantinople called before Byzantium Niceph. lib. 8. chronol cap. 6. 3. Confession of Partie THat almost all Arch-hereticks were eyther Bishops or Priestes sayeth Belarmine Lib. 1. de Pont. Cap. 8. § 4. §. 5. That the Iewish Church pretended nâ—… lesse infallibilitie than the Romane doeth and had farre greater and more particular promises and yeâ—… erred 1. Authoritie of Scripture AS for the pretence wee see it seâ—… downe Ierem. 18.18 in these wordes Come let vs devise devices against Ieremie for the Law shall not perish from the Priest nor Counsell from the Wise nor the â—…ord from the Prophet And thereâ—…re from the lyke words in Malachie 2. 〈…〉 which the Papists would haue thus The Priests lips shall preserue knowledge and they shall seeke the Law â—…t his mouth they gather the High â—…riests infallibilitie vnder the Law ex â—…acto and conclude the Popes infallibiâ—…tie vnder the Gospell ex aequo alleadâ—…ing to the same purpose that of Deuterâ—…omie 7.10 In lyke manner As for Promises it is saide Psal â—…32 14 The Lord hath chosen Sion for an habitation and hath said This is my rest for ever And againe Isai 33.20 Looke vpon Sion the citie of our solemnities â—…hine eyes shall beholde Ierusalem 〈…〉 quyet habitation a Tabernacle that shall not bee taken downe not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed neither shall anie of the cords â—…hereof bee broken Note then And aske where ever anie such promises are made vnto Rome but in the contrarie a fearfull destruction foâ—… her grosse idolatrie is clearlie fore-told Revelation 18. And last of all for praises it is said of Ierusalem and Gods Church there Psal 87.3 Glorious things are spoken of thee O Citie of God But of Rome the most glorious thing that is spokeâ—… of her is That shee should bee a gloriouâ—… Harlot Revel 17.4.18 And Thessalonieâ—… equalleth her in that which the Apostle spake of the faythfull onelie of his tymâ—… in her and where-of the Papists so much glorie which by collation inspection of the places is moste cleare and evident Rom. 1.8 2. Thes 1.4 §. 6. That the VVord of GOD purelie preached vnder which the due administration of the Sacraments is comprehended is the onely cleare and truest note of a true Church 1. Authoritie of Scripture DEut. 4.8 And vvhat Nation is there so great that hath statutes and judgements so righteous as all this Law vvhich I set before you this day Psal 147.19 He sheweth His Word to Iacob His statutes and His judgements to Israel Hee hath not dealt so with anie Nation c. Wee see then that Gods people was ever differenced from all other nations and knowne by his word and ordinances to bee his peculiar Church Iohn 10.27 My Sheepe heare my voyce and I know them and they follow Mee Note then Where Christs voyce soundeth and is believed and obeyed there is his Church Iohn 8.31 If yee continue in My Word then are yee My Disciples indeede Act. 2.42 And they continued stedfastlie in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers Note then That continuance in Christs trueth and apostolicke doctrine with the holie exercise of prayer and participation of Sacraments is a cleare note to know a true Church 1. Tim. 3.15 Which is the Church of the living God the Pillar and ground of trueth The meaning whereof the Apostle giveth Heb. 3.6 saying Whose house are vvee if vvee keepe fast the confidence and the rejoycing of the hope firme to the ende Note therefore That the Church is so called and knowne to be such by keeping fast and firme the trueth of Gods Word in profession and that confidence and hope that it breedeth in our hearts sure to the ende 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THe Church consisteth not in Walles but in the trueth of doctrine sayth Ierome so that there is the Church where â—…rue fayth is Hierom in Psal 133. and â—…hey are good Catholicks onelie who â—…ollow the right fayth sayth Augustine lib. de vera religione cap. 5. 3. Confession of Partie THe confession lykewyse of our Adversaries is thus The Church consisteth not in men sayth Lyra in respect of their power or dignitie Ecclesiasticke ☜ or Civill because manie Princes and Popes too haue beene found to haue made defection from the faith Therefore the Church consisteth in those in whome is true knowledge and the confession of faith and the trueth of God Lyra in Matth. cap. 16. §. 7. That multitude is no note of a true Church 1. Authoritie of Scripture 1. KIngs 19.10 And Elias saide I haue beene verie zealous for the LORD of Hoasts for the children of Israel haue forsaken thy covenant cast downe thine Altars and slaine thy Prophets and I even I onlie am left and they seeke my life I aske then If a visible multitude was a note here of the true Church in Israel or the two tribes of Iudah being compared with these ten which of them was the greater multitude or the whole twelue compared with the whole worlde beside which of these were maniest and consequentlie by the note of multitude who was the true Church Isai 1.9 Except the Lord of Hoastes had left to vs a verie small remnant wee should haue beene like Sodome and like vnto Gomorrah Note then That the true professours are called a verie small remnant which is farre from being the greatest multitude of men Ier. 3.14 I vvill take one of a Citie and two of a Familie and bring you to Sion Note then That one of a Citie being the fewest that can bee that the greater multitude is left vncalled to the trueth effectualie Mat. 7.13 Enter in at the strait gate for vvide is the gate and broad is the vvay that leadeth to destruction and manie there bee vvho enter in thereat Note then If few enter in at the strait gate that leadeth to salvation and manie at the wide gate that leadeth to damnation then paucitie should bee rather a note of the true Church than anie wise multitude seeing Rev. 13. the whole World is saide to follow the beast Luke 12.32 Feare not little Flocke for it is your Fathers pleasure to giue to you a Kingdome Note then If Christs Flocke bee little then multitude is no good note to know the same thereby Examples of the paucitie of Gods true Church in the house of Abraham compared with the rest of the world and of the true professours at Christs Passion verefie this point 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THe multitude of Associates shall no wise show thee to bee a Catholicke but an Hareticke sayeth Ierome dialog contra Pelag. lib. 3. Therefore where are they that define the Church by multitudes sayeth Gregorie Nazienzen and contemneth so the little Flocke of Christ Oratione de seipso contra Arrianos 3. Confession of Partie THat time when the Church seemed to lurke sayeth
that the Bishop of Rome presumpâ—…uouslie vsurpeth Acts 8.14 Now vvhen the Apostles that vvere at Ierusalem â—…eard that Samaria had received â—…he Word of GOD they sent vnto â—…hem Peter and Iohn Note then Peter's submission to his â—…ellow-brethren pleading no exemption â—…r priviledge of supremacie nor impuâ—…ng to them anie saucinesse as the Pope â—…ould doe to other Bishops if they preâ—…med to send him in lyke sort to preach â—…n anie forraigne Countrey Gal. 1.1 Paul an Apostle â—…either of men nor by man Note then That hee disclaimeth the â—…aving of his Apostolicke power anie â—…ayes of Peter as Superiour nor anie â—…ther power as the following words â—…stifie Gal. 2.6.11 They that seemed to bee somewhat in conferencâ—… added nothing to mee buâ—… vvhen Peter vvas come to Antioch I vvithstood him to the faceâ—… Remarke then How farre this fact oâ—… Pauls crosseth the supremacie and if 〈…〉 Bishop would bee well intreated thaâ—… now so publicklie would with-stand thâ—… Pope to his face in lyke manner Verse 9. And vvhen Iameâ—… Cephas and Iohn who seemeâ—… to bee pillars perceived the graâ—… vvhich vvas given to mee they gaâ—… to mee and Barnabas the rigâ—… hand of fellowship Note then That Peter is heere rankeâ—… after Iames and all three are equallâ—… called pillars and receiveth Paul anâ—… Barnabas as companions alway Paâ—… witnessing elsewhere that hee was râ—… inferiour to none of the Apostles 〈…〉 which maketh plainlie against Peter's sâ—…premacie aboue all the rest as their heâ—… in authoritie Remarke then by all the former plâ—…ces First That Christ never gaue anâ—… supremacie of jurisdiction to Peter â—…boue the rest of the Apostles but a-lykâ—… forbad it to all Secondlie That Peter never claymed anie such as both his Scripturall Titles and his actions make cleare And thirdlie That the rest of the Apostles never acknowledged anie such which as well their speaches as their deedes make manifest And so consequentlie That his pretended Successours wrongfullie vsurpe the same And if anie might challenge the largest charge or jurisdiction to bee called Vniversall Bishop it was Paul vnto whom was committed the Gentiles and who sayeth 2. Cor. 11.28 that hee had comming vpon him daylie the care of all the Churches 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie TO this our doctrine against Peter's supremacie over the rest of the Apostles Antiquitie thus witnesseth The rest of the Apostles sayeth Cyprian were the selfe-same that Peter was endewed with a-lyke fellowship both of honour and power lib. de vnit Eccles 3. Confession of Partie CHRIST would not haue the rest of the Apostles subject to Peter sayth Caietan but all a-lyke as Brethren comment p. 278. cited in judice errarum Cajetani a Catharin◠§. 2. That the Pope is not the Head or husband and foundation of the Church as the Papists holde Bellarm. lib. 2. de pontif cap. 31. and therefore that all men are not bound to bee subject to him 1. Authoritie of Scripture EPhes 5.23 For the Husband is the Head of the Wife even as Christ is the Head of the Church and is the Saviour of the Bodie Note then That as an Husband will bee onlie Head and haue no substitute in his place with his wife vnder him no more will Christ who is a jealous God haue anie other Head or Husband over His Church vnder Himselfe Note also That hee that is the head of his Church is the saviour of the bodie which seeing the Pope dare not take vpon him neither should he the stile of head that doth import the same Eph. 4.4 There is but one bodie Therefore but one head Where note That the Church is not a perfect bodie having an head of its own beside Christ but Christ and His Church maketh vp a perfect bodie Hee beeing the onelie Head and the Church His Members 2. Cor. 11.2 For I haue espoused you to one Husband that I may present you as a chaste Virgine to Christ. Note That hee sayeth to one and not to two for so the Church should not bee thought a chaste spouse to Christ onelie Iohn 3. 29. Hee that hath the Bryde is the Brydegrome but the friend of the Brydegrome who standeth and hâ—areth him rejoyceth with â—…oy for the voyce of the Brydegrome Note That Iohn maketh one onelie Brydegrome as there is one onelie Bryde and that none can bee called Brydegrome but that one who oweth the Bâ—yde hee him-selfe altho the greaâ—…est amongst the sonnes of women and â—…ll others beeing but friendes onelie of â—…he Brydegromes but not having right â—…o the Bryde her-selfe 1. Cor. 3.11 For other Foundation can no man lay beside that which is layde which is CHRIST IESVS Ephes 2.20 Built vpon the foundations of the Apostles Prophets Iesus Christ Himselfe being the chiefe corner stone Note then That anie one can never be called the foundation of the Church but Christ alone and as for others the whole Prophets and Apostles are called so in common in respect of their doctrine and not of their persons and they onlie themselues are so but neither one of them aboue the rest nor yet anie successour 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie TO this our doctrine that the Pope is not the head husband and foundation of the Church testifieth Antiquitie It is Satanicall pryde sayeth Gregorie by an arrogant title of Head to subject so all Christs members to one man which doe coheyre to one onelie head Christ Iesus allanerlie lib. 4. ep 36. where hee showeth also the stile of Vniversall Bishop to bee alyke Satanicallie prowde and altogether Antichristianâ—… which he nor none of his predecessours would ever accept nor vse Adde heerevnto likewise the decree of that famouâ—… Councell of Chalcedon against vniversall supremacie Concil Chalc. Act. 16. Next for the title of Husband if thou bee the friend of the Brydegroome sayeth Bernard Epist 237. call not his beloved spouse thy chiefe one but his challenging nothing as proper to thee over her except it bee that if necessitie so require thou oughtest to giue thy lyfe for her and if Christ haue sent thee thinke that thou art not come to bee served but to serue 3. Confession of Partie ANd last for the stile of Foundation When in holie Scripture sayth Pope Gregorie in the singular number a foundation is spoken of there is none other designed to be such but Christ Himselfe allanerlie in 38. Iob. cap. 9. CHAP. IIII. OF THE CHVRCHES Right Worship §. I. That Prayers and all publicke woâ—ship should bee in a language knowne to the people 1. Authoritie of Scripture 1. COrint 14.7 And even things vvithout life giving sound whether pipe or Harpe except they giue a distinction in the soundes how shall it bee knowne vvhat is piped or harped Verse 9. So likewise you except yee vtter by the tongue vvords easie to bee vnderstood how shall it bee knowne vvhat is spoken for yee shall speake into the Aire Verse 11. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voyce I shall be vnâ—o him that speaketh
A COMPEND Of the Controversies of RELIGION Wherin TRUETH is confirmed and Errour convinced By Authoritie of Scripture Witnessing of Antiquitie and Confession of Partie Most necessarie for all in this Backe-slyding Age. By W. G. Minister of God's Word Hieron lib. 1. adv Pelag. Non enim de Adversario victoriam sed contra mendacium quarimus veritatem ABERDENE Printed by Edward Raban 1627. TO THE RIGHT NOBLE MOST worthie of all Honour and truelie Religious The Countesse of EINZIE Ladie GORDON c. MADAME THE sedulitie of the emissaries of that Apostaticke Church of Rome who like the Pharisees of olde did compasse Sea and Land to make a proselyte to them-selues should teach vs who are Teachers of the Trueth to bee ashamed to bee lesse â—…iligent in a better Cause and for a better Master These are busilie dispersing their Manuels and sowing their Pople and Tares lyke that wicked Adversarie secretlie in the LORD'S Field to draw men from the Trueth and why then should no wee bee busie by Voyce and Writ also in sowing the good Seed of thâ—… Word to keepe Men with the Trueth This hath moved mee to pen thiâ—… COMPEND OF CONTROVERSIES which the simplest may vnderstand clearly the busiest-employeâ—… may peruse frequentlie and the weakest memorie may retaine easilie for it is not vnknowne to anie how our greater Bookes of Controversies penned by their graue and godlie Authors are neglected for the most part and thought a tedious Taske once to reade over but as for this each onâ—… who hath but the least care to know or byde by the Trueth may count iâ—… but an easie exercise there-by to recreate them-selues at anie occasionaâ—… vacancie And therefore I haue here in put GOD'S Sword chiefelie iâ—… Man's hand to maintaine GOD'S Cause and contented with the most selected places onlie in each head of Doctrine which for the solide securing of the Conscience in the knowledge of the Trueth and powerfull convincing of seducing Errour as the Gleanings of Ephraim were better than the Vintage of Abiezer so are these few smooth Stones taken out of the Brooke of the Booke of GOD more fit for the little Davids of the LORD'S People to sling against the fore-head of bragging and blaspemous Errour than Saul's vnwealdie Armour or the wearisome weight of cunning forged reasons and hudge heape of humane testimonies And yet lest that Antiquitie where-of Babel's brood causeleslie braggeth should seeme al-together eyther neglected by vs or not to make for vs I haue joyned some testimonies of Fathers that are clearest for vnderstanding shortest for memorie most punctuall for convincing and a few of manie to avoyde tediousnesse Where-vnto is at last added for the full triumph of Trueth the cleare Confession of our Adversare Partie that so out of his owne mouth the wicked servant may bee condemned and it may be seene what is the force of prevailing Trueth even our Enemies being Iudges And so in summe that there is no point of Papall doctrine but that First it is against Scripture Secondlie contrarie to the fayth of the primitiue Church and Last taught and acknowledged with vs by the Doctors in the Romane Church it selfe farre other-wyse than the Iesuits now anie-where professe such is their bragging of Vnitie or rather the confusion of the speach of those builders of Babell Which paines of mine heere-in for the profit of others I haue huÌ„bly dedicated to your religious honour whome all the godlie who knoweth you as a Patterne of zeale and constancie affecteth dearlie praysetb truelie admireth justlie honoureth deservedlie prayeth for earnestlie and thanketh the LORD for his rare Graces bestowed vpon you vnfeignedlie to the great good of his Church and your eternall glorie Where-with also mine heartliest apprecations shal joyntlie concurre that the bountifull hand of that good GOD whome in the zeale of His Trueth ye haue constantlie followed may beape vpon your honour your most noble and heroicke Husband and that happie off-spring of those hopefull Oliue Plants which the Lord hath giveÌ„ vnto you all the blessings what-so-ever that either Heaven can afford or mortalitie may bee capable of Your Honours most humblie devoted WILLIAM GVILD TO THE READER COurteous Reader for shortnesse sake and thine ease I haue of manie places of Scripture adduced these onlie that are most plaine pithie and pertinent and succinctlie so touched the same that I haue left to thy judicious attention the further pondering of the same and that out of them thou may see that Fayth as Sainct Iude sayth which was once delivered to the Saincts and which we should earnestlie contend for as also as Tertullian sayth prescrip adv haeret c. 32. That the doctrine of the Adversaries beeing compared with the Apostolicke by the diversitie and contrarietie of it there-vnto doeth pronounce that it hath for its Author neither an Apostle nor anie apostolicall man VVhich for a short instance their doctrine concerning the Word prohibiting people the vse or knowledge of Scripture contrarie to Col. 3.16 and concerning the Sacrament their depriving them of the Cup contrarie to 1. Cor. 11.28 and concerning publicke Service and Prayers â—…heir having the same in an vnknowne tongue contrarie to 1. Cor. 14. against all subterfuges doth most clearlie evince As for the Testimonies of Fathers keeping the nature of a Compend I haue â—…yke-wyse alleadged of a number a few of the fittest where-as as Augustine sayde to the Pelagians lib. 2. de nupt concupisc c. 29. If I would haue collected all it would haue beene too long a worke and I would seeme perhaps to â—…aue had lesse confidence in the Canoâ—…icke Authorities oâ— to haue equallie matâ—…hed that which is ad pugnam or victorie â—…nd that which is fittest ad pompam or â—…iumph together And last of all I haue brought our Adverâ—…ries owne Confessions and so as is said â—…ai 19.2 I haue set the Egyptian aâ—…inst the Egyptian that by their owne grand â—…hampion Bellarmine the true verdict â—…ay passe on their Religion who sayth That 〈…〉 is a most sure note of false doctrine â—…at hereticall Authors agree not amoÌ„gst â—…em-selues Bell. lib. 4. de Eccles c. â—…0 § adde In all which I haue had that care of agreeâ—…ent of each Text Testimonie with their Originall that I dare appeale the knowledge and conscience of the most malicious Gaine-sayer of the Trueth there-of and for facilitating thy paines I haue by a diverse Letter from the rest pointed at those words where-in as Sampson's strength lay in his hayre the force of each testimonie consisteth Ayming singlie the Lord knoweth that as Ierome sayd to the Pelagians the Trueth may onlie triumph and Veritie may haue victorie And beseeching God so to blesse thy perusall heereof to His glorie thy good that His grace may bee found effectuall to thy conversion if thou bee contrarie mynded or to thy further establishing and confirmation if thou be alreadie a Chylde of the Trueth Thine in CHRIST IESUS W. Guild A COMPEND OF THE
Controversies of Religion CHAP. I. OF SCRIPTVRE 〈…〉 I. That the Apocrypha are not Canonicke Scripture or of Divine authoritie to confirme points of fayth 1. Authoritie of Scripture LVKE 24.27 And beginning at Moses all the Prophets hee expounded vnto them in al the Scriptures the â—…inges concerning himselfe Notâ— then That our Saviour compreâ—…ndeth all the Scripture of the olde Teâ—…ment in Moses and the Prophets of â—…hom Malachi was the last as 2. Esdras 40. is cleare and therefore Esdras â—…o maketh mention of him as last and the rest of the Apocrypha books that â—…re written after him are no part of â—…ine Scripture Act. 26.22 Having then obtained helpe of GOD I continue tâ—… this day witnessing both to smaâ—… and great saying none otheâ—… things than those which Moses anâ—… the Prophets did say should comâ—… Marke then that Paul also comprâ—…hendeth all divine Scripture in the wrâ—… of Moses and the Prophets allanerlie 〈…〉 alleadged none other thing for confirmâ—…tion of his Doctrine but the foresayâ—… Scripture and therefore did not aâ—…knowledge any other apocryphal booâ—… to bee of divine authoritie or fit fâ—… that purpose Rom. 3.2 Vnto them to wâ—… the Iewes were committâ—… the Oracles of GOD. Note theâ—… That seeing the Apocrypha books wâ—… not committed to them nor everâ—…knowledged by them as divine inspyâ—… Scripture as the Papistes themseluâ—… confesse Bellar. lib. 1. de Purg. cap. 〈…〉 § ad primum Therefore it followeâ—… that they are not the Oracles of Goâ—… nor of divine authoritie 2. Tim. 3.16 All Scriptuâ—… is given by divine inspiration Note then That the abridgement 〈…〉 lie of another mans worke and an huâ—…ane Historie done by great paynes â—…uch as the Apocrypha bookes of the â—…achabees are coÌ„fessed to be 2. Machab. 〈…〉 23. is no part therefore of canonicke â—…cripture Againe 2. Pet. 1. 21. For â—…he prophecie came not in olde tyme â—…y the will of man but the holie â—…en of God spake as they were moâ—…ed by the holy Ghost Remarke then againe That Scripture was no private taske vndertaken by the â—…ill of man as the Apocryphall booke of â—…he Machabees is formerlie acknowledâ—…ed And againe seeing that the holie â—…pirit spake by them therefore it followeth that that Booke cannot be of the â—…pirits inspiration wherein the Author â—…howeth if hee hath done slenderlie and â—…eanlie it is all he could attaine vnto as 〈…〉 Machab. 15.38 hee freelie confesâ—…th for this were blasphemouslie deroâ—…atorie to the holie Ghost and to the auâ—…oritie of holie Scripture And no lesse derogatorie is that place â—…f Ecclesiasticus 31.21 against both the â—…odestie of the holie Ghost and gravitie â—…f Scripture which sayeth to him that â—…ath eaten immoderatelie If thou hast â—…ene forced to eate goe foorth and spew it out and thou shalt haue rest there-after I omit sundrie contradictions Trueth where-of the Spirit of Trâ—… could not bee Author as Tobit 5. 〈…〉 where the good Angell is made to 〈…〉 which is onlie proper to Satan and 〈…〉 evill angels and against Heb. 1.14 tâ—… hee sayeth that hee was of a carnall pâ—… creation whose nature are onelie to 〈…〉 created spirits 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THE Church indeede readeth thâ—… Bookes sayeth sainct Ierome 〈…〉 receiveth them not amongst Canonâ—… Scripture Ierom. praef in Proverb Whâ—… remarke that Ierome setteth not doâ—… there his owne private opinion but generall tenet of the whole Church in time And therfore his testimonie acâ—…ding to Cardinall Peron's wordes inâ—… Epistle Observatione quinta is a sâ—…cient evidence of the fayth of the Caâ—…licke Church at that time where 〈…〉 sayeth that when the Fathers speakeâ—… as private Doctors but as witnesseâ—… those thinges which the Church did 〈…〉 believed in their time affirming that sâ—… a thing was the Fayth or practise of 〈…〉 who le Church then their testimonâ—… sufficient to declare the vnanim comâ—… of the whole Church In like manâ—… also with Ierome doeth sainct Gregâ—… acknowledge them not Canonicall Greg. 〈…〉 9. Moral in Iob cap. 17. Nor doeth 〈…〉 ancient Councell of Laodicea Can. 〈…〉 account them anie wayes as such 3. Confession of Partie â—…Nd because they are doubtsome they 〈…〉 are not numbered in the Canon of â—…pture sayeth Cardinall Hugo de S. â—…ro in his Prologue on Iosua The â—…e likewise sayeth Cajetan and Hugo S. Victore 〈…〉 That the Scripture contayneth all things which are necessarie to salvation to know without Popish Traditions 1. Authoritie of Scripture â—…SALME 19.7 The Law of 〈…〉 the LORD is perfect converâ—… the Soule The Testimonie of 〈…〉 LORD is sure making wise the â—…ple â—…ote then That Gods worde is called â—…ect and Sure as sainct Peter also calâ—… it 2. Pet. 1.19 in opposition to â—…ecessitie and nature of Traditions â—…ch are both needlesse and vnsure â—…h 15.9 2. Thess 2.2 Proverb 30.6 Adde thou not to his word lest hee reprouâ—… thee and thou bee found a liar Note then That they are pronounceâ—… liars who accuse Gods worde of impeâ—…fection and therefore would adde theâ—… vnto vnwritten Traditions in matters 〈…〉 salvation 2. Tim. 3.15.16.17 Anâ—… that from a child thou hast knownâ—… the Scriptures which are able tâ—… make thee wise vnto salvatioâ—… through fayth which is in Chriâ—… Iesus Note then If the Scriptures alone bâ—… able to make vs wise vnto salvatioâ—… which is all we neede wherefore serâ—… Traditions Againe vers 16.17 Aâ—… Scripture is given by inspiration 〈…〉 God and is profitable for doctrinâ—… reproofe correction and instructiâ—… in righteousnesse that the man 〈…〉 God may bee perfect througâ—… lie furnished vnto all gooâ—… works Note then This is all that we can seekâ—… what needeth therefore Traditions Iam. 1.21 Receiue with meeknesse the ingrafted word which is able to saue your Soules Note then That it alone is able to doe all that which wee can require So Act. 20.32 it is sayde to bee able to build vs vp by grace heere and to bring vs to the inheâ—…itance of glorie heereafter and further we cannot wish for Gal. 3.15 Brethren I speake to you after the manner of men tho â—…t be but a mans testament yet if it â—…ee confirmed no man disannulleth nor addeth thereto Note then That it is farre greater impietie to adde to Christs owne Testament confirmed by His Blood The examples also of the Apostles â—…roue this for as for doctrine of Sainct Paul it is written thus Act. 28.23 That when they had appointed him a day â—…here came many to his lodging to whom hee â—…xpounded and testified the Kingdome of GOD perswading them concerning IESVS â—…oth out of the Law of Moses and out of the Prophets And Act. 26.22 Saying â—…one other things than those things which â—…he Prophets and Moses did say should come As hee then teached nothing but that which was contained in Scripture before him so neither should Pastors now teach but what is contained in Scripture before them Therefore Gal. 1.8 Hâ—e is accursed altho an Angell that teacheth beside that And in disputing it is
sayde Act. 17.2 And Paul as his manner was went in vnto them and three Sabbath dâ—yes reasoned with them out oâ—… the Scriptures No word of Tradition See Apollo's lyke practise Act. 18.28 just conforme heereto In lyke manner for believing Act. 24.14 This I confesse sayeth Paul that after the way which they call Heresie so worship I the GOD of my Fathers believing all thinges which are written in the Law and Prophets No word then of vnwritten Traditions which he made a ground of his Fayth So Act. 17.11 The Bereans searched the Scriptures daylie whether these things were so to wit as Paul taught therefore manie believed Note then That it was not for anie warrand of traditions that they believed but vpon warrand of Scripture onlie that they grounded their fayth 2. Witnessing of Antiquiâ—ie THe holie and divine inspired Scriptures are all sufficient sayeth Athanasius for the full instruction of trueth Athan. lib. contra Gentes Whence also sayeth Tertullian Take from Heretickes wherein they agree with Heathens that by Scripture onelie they may debate their questions and they cannot stand Tertull lib. de resurr carn cap. 3. 3. Confession of Partie ALL Doctrines of Fayth and Manners sayeth Bellarmine which is simplie necessarie for all men are plainlie set downe in Scripture Bell. lib. 4. de verbo cap. 11. § vltimo §. 3. That the Scripture is plaine in all thinges necessarie for salvation to know altho in all places generallie it be not alyke perspicuous 1. Authoritie of Scripture PSalme 19.8 The Commandement of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes Psal 119.105 Thy word is a lampe vnto my feet and a light vnto my path Vers 130. The entrance of thy word giveth light and it giveth vnderstanding even vnto the simple Note then If that the verie entrance giveth light and vnderstanding to the simple then what doeth a daylie progresse And if the simple get vnderstanding thereby how can it bee so obscure that the learned onelie should reade the same allanerlie 2. Tim. 3.15 From a child thou hast knowne the Scripture Note If children then may attaine to the knowledge of Scripture then it is not so obscure that those of perfect age cannot know the same 2. Pet. 1.19 We haue also a more sure word of Prophecie whereto ye doe well in taking heed as to a light that shineth in a darke place c. Note then That as a shyning light can not bee called darke it selfe which illuminateth darke places so neyther can Gods worde which illuminateth our darke vnderstandinges 2. Cor. 4.3 But if our Gospell be hid it is to them that are lost in whom the god of this worlde hath blynded their myndes that belieue not c. Note then That it is not the fault of Scripture that it is hid to anie more than it is the fault of the cleare Sunne that a blinde man seeth it not 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie IN those places which are clearlie set downe in Scripture sayeth Augustine all those thinges are to bee found which contayne both Fayth and Manners Aug. lib. 2. de doct Christiana cap. 9. Which Chrysostome lykewyse avoweth saying no lesse Homil. 3. in 2. ad Thess 3. Confession of Partie BEllarmine affirmeth that all doctrines of Fayth and Manners which are simplie necessarie for all men are plainlie set downe in Scripture Bell. lib. 4. de verbo c. 11. § vltimo §. 4. That the Scripture is to bee read by the People and therefore that the same for that ende should be translated in their vulgar language 1. Authoritie of Scripture DEuter 6.6.7 And these thinges which I command thee this day shall bee in thine heart and thou shalt teach them diligentlie to thy Children and shalt talke of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou lyest downe and when thou rysest vp c. Deuter. 29.29 The secret thinges belong to the Lord our God but these thinges which are revealed belong to vs and to our children for over that we may doe all the words of this Law Note then That the People are bound to know Gods worde because they are bound to obey Gods word See in lyke manner Deut. 17.18.19 c. the booke of the Law commanded to bee read by the King for the same ende that hee may learne to obey the same As also Ioshua 1.8 by the Iudge of the people And last of all by all sort of people as is cleare Deut. 6.6.7.9 And by this subsequent testimonie to wit Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them yee thinke to haue eternall lyfe and they are these that testifie of mee Those of Baerea therefore Act. 17.11 They searched the Scriptures daylie whether those things were so teaching all people to follow their example Ephes 6.17 Take the sword of the spirit which is the word of GOD. Note then That all Christians whatsoever because all are spirituall warriours are bidden arme themselues with the Scripture so that who forbids them the knowledge thereof they make them naked before their spirituall enemie Col. 3.16 Let the word dwell in you plenteouslie that thereby yee may teach one another and be ye filled with Knowledge Col. 1.9 Note then That this is farre from popish ignorance and their forbidding the people to reade the Word of GOD for â—…o how can it dwell in them plenteouslie and they bee filled with the knowledge thereof 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie CHrysostome speaking thus of the forbidding thereof It is sayeth hee the working of the inspiration of the Divell not suffering to looke in the treasure lest wee should attaine to the ritches thereof What a Pest then is it to thinke that the reading of the Scriptures belongeth only to Clergie men Chrys hom 2. in Matth. Whence hee sayeth then I beseech you all that are seculare men to get Bibles to your selues the medicine of the soule and if ye will not get more get the New Testament Chrys hom 9. ad Coloss Heere-vnto witnesseth also Theodoret. lib. 5. de curand graec affect 3. Confession of Partie IT is manifest sayth Bishop Espenseus by the Apostles doctrine Col. 3.16 and by the practise of the Church that of olde the publicke vse of scripture was permitted to people And so sayth Alphonsus de castro verbo scriptura §. 5. That the Scripture is the perfect rule of Fayth and Manners and the infallible supreame Iudge in controversies of Religion 1. Authoritie of Scripture ISai. 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimonie if they speake not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Note then That in Gods worde is the last supreame and onlie infallible decision to bee had concerning eyther Fayth or Manners and therefore the sentence of all men whatsoever is to bee tryed â—…hereby and reduced therevnto The Bareans therefore Act. 17.11 searched the Scriptures whether those things were so that Paul taught vnto them altho an Apostle and famous for manie miracles also Deut.
12.8.32 And yee shall not doe everie man what is right in his owne eyes but whatsoever I command you obserue to doe it Thou shalt not adde thereto nor diminish from it Ezek. 20.18.19 But I sayd vnto their Children in the Wildernesse Walke yee not in the statutes of your Fathers neither obserue their judgementes nor defile your selues with their Idols I am the Lord your God walke in my statutes and keepe my judgements to doe them Note then That mens traditions nor ancient custome is not the rule of faith nor manners but onlie the Lords Word Mark 7.7.8 In vaine doe they worship mee teaching for doctrines the traditions of men For laying aside the Commandement of God yee holde the traditions of men Matth. 22.29 Therefore doe yee erre not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God Note then that Scripture is the entire rule of trueth the ignorance whereof is the cause of errour amongst the seduced people 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THis cause sayth Augustine requireth a judge and who shal be judge let the Apostle bee iudge because by the Apostle Christ speaketh Aug. de gratia lib. arb cap. 18. Let vs stand therefore to the iudgement of the holie inspyred scriptures sayth Basill which God hath set over vs. Epist 80. ad Eustathium 3. Confession of Partie BAsill sayeth Bellarmine willeth that both parties stand to the judgement of Scripture which none can reiect §. 6. That the Scripture is not a dumbe Iudge but that GOD by it speaketh to His Church 1. Authoritie of Scripture IOhn 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them yee thinke to haue eternall life and these are they that testifie of mee Note then That in the same sense that Christ calleth the Scripture a witnesse it may bee called a judg and in the same manner to pronounce judgement in controversies as it beareth witnesse Seeing then a witnesse must haue speach else hee can bee no witnesse in that the Scripture then is saide to beare witnesse it followeth also that the Scripture after a sort speaketh Iohn 7.42 Hath not the Scripture sayde that Christ commeth of the seed of David c. Loe speach expresly attributed to Scripâ—…ure Againe Heb. 12.5 And yee haue forgotten the exhortation that speaketh to you as vnto Children c. In lyke manner Luke 16.29 Abraham saith vnto him They haue Moses the Prophets let them heare them Ergo It implyeth that their writs doe â—…n a manner speake seeing that wee are â—…idden hâ—are them Heb. 11.4 By faith Abell offered vnto God a more excellent sacrifice than Kain by which he obtained witnes that he was righteous God testifying of his gifts and by it hee being dead yet speaketh If Abell then being dead is saide yeâ—… to speake by that record of his fayth which is set downe in Scripture eveâ—… so may the Prophets and Apostleâ—… beeing dead bee saide lykewise yet to speake by these records of their doctrine of fayth which is set downe in Scripture and which is the Christian foundation whereon the Church is built Ephes 2.20 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie GOD himselfe speaketh to vs by the Scripture sayeth Cyrillus Alex. lib. 11. in Iohn c. 21. And even Christ himselfe this verie day is crying vnto vs in his Gospels sayth Chrysostom homil in Psal 95. 3. Consent of Partie THE Scripture therefore sayeth Bellarmine both by wordes and similitudes everie where cryeth that a sinner in no sort can dispose himselfe to receiue grace Bell. lib. 6. de lib. arb c. 5. § huc denique CHAP. II. OF THE CHVRCH §. 1. That the estate of the true Church is not ever visible to all men and chieflie to the enemies thereof 1. Authoritie of Scripture I. KIngs 19.10 And Eliah sayde I haue bene very zealous for the LORD of Hoasts for the children of Israel haue forsaken thy covenant throwne downe thine Altars and slaine thy Prophets and I onlie am left and they seeke my life I aske Where was then a visible companie of true and publicke worshippers at this time in Israel And that the like estate of true professours was at one time both in Israel and Iudah is evident out of 2. Chron. 15. 8. and 1. King 15.9 the whole Kingdome of Iudah beeing idolatrous in Abiiam's latter reigne and at the same tyme whole Israel being idolatrous vnder Ieroboam Againe 2. Chron. 28.24 it is recorded how at once both Iudah was altogether idolatrous vnder King Ahaz and the Lords publicke worship vtterlie was abrogated and at the same tyme Israel was even so vnder their Kinges Pekah and Hoshea Of this tyme it is sayde in Historie 2 King 17.16 And Israel left all the Commandementes of the Lord their God and made them molten Images even two calues and made a groue and worshipped all the hoste of Heaven and served Baal Vers 18. So there was none left but the tribe of Iudah onlie and Iudah kept not the Commandementes of the Lord their God but walked also in the statutes of Israel which they made And so the Lord reiected all the seede of Israel and afflicted them c. And of this tyme also it is sayde in prophecie by Ieremie Ier. 5.11 For the house of Israel and the house of Iudah haue dealt verie treacherouslie against mee sayeth the Lord. And by Ezechiel 23.13 it is sayde that these two sisters in their spirituall whoredomes tooke both one way Note then When both this people which onelie were then counted Gods Church made defection with their Kings â—…n common to the publicke practise of â—…dolatrie onlie and abrogated the publicke worship of the true God alluterlie where was then the face of a visible companie of true professours having a pubâ—…icke worship Therefore Zeph. 3.12 the Lord sayeth of his true Church Then I will leaue in the midst of thee an afflicted and poore people that shall trust in the Name of the Lord. Which is farre from an outward pompous and a glorious visibilitie to all Marke 14.27 And Iesus saide vnto them All yee shal be offended because of mee this Night for it is written I will smyte the Shepheard and the Sheepe shall bee scattered I aske then when this was done Where was a visible companie to all of true professours to be pointed at Revel 12.14 And to the Woman were given two Winges of a great Eagle that shee might flie into the Wildernesse vnto her place vvhere shee is nowrished for a time and times and halfe a time from the face of the Serpent This womâ—… the Romanists themselues as Lyra andâ—…thers interprete to be the true Churcâ—… lurking vnder persecution as Elias dâ—… three yeares and an halfe in the Wâ—…dernesse where hee was miraculousâ—… fed I aske then at this same time shee could lurke vnder persecution aâ—… yet bee gloriouslie and conspicuousâ—… visible to all Or Rev. 13.3 When the time of Antichrists prevailiâ—g the Earth shall follow the Beast whâ—… shall such visibilitie be Even no wheâ—… as the Rhemists on the 2.
that anie man is to be blamed Aug. â—…ib 16. de civit Dei c. 37. 3. Confession of Partie TO prescrybe anie choyse of meat sayth Cardinall Cajetan forbidding another it disagreeth altogether from the whole doctrine of the Gospell Cajet comment p. 252. As hee is cited by Eckius in indice errorum Cajetani CHAP. VII OF THE MARRIAGE of the Clergie That the same is lawfull 1. Authoritie of Scripture HEb 13.4 Marriage is honourable in all Therefore in the clergie 1. Cor. 7.2 To avoyde Fornication leâ—… everie man haue his owne Wyfe and let everie woman haue her owne Husband If everie man then bee permitted to haue the remedie of Marriage then Clergie-men are not debarred Verse 9. But if they to wit the vnmarried cannot containe let them marrie for it is better to marrie than burne But the Romane Doctors will say That it is better to burne in lust yea to commit adultery for the quenching there-of than that a Clergie-man marrie Bellarm. lib. de monachis c. 34. § est autem and their canon law causa 27. q. 1. c. 21. sayeth even the lyke 1. Timoth. 3.2 A Bishop then must bee blamelesse the husband of one wife But the Pope will crosse Paul and say That hee must bee the husband of no wife So well doeth Trueth and Errour agree 1. Cor. 9.5 Haue wee not power to leade about a Sister a Wyfe as well as other Apostles and as the brethren of the Lord and Cephas Remarke then That the verie Apostles and Peter were married men and forsooke not their wiues companie even in the time of their Apostleship 1. Tim. 4.1.3 And the Spirit speaketh manifestlie that in the latter tymes some shall depart from the fayth giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils c. forbidding to marrie Note then That forbidding anie sort of persons or calling to marrie is a cleare note of an Apostaticke Church seduced by errour and venting the doctrine of Satan 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie NOw the Apostle admitteth that he shall bee the husband of one wyfe sayeth Clemens whether hee bee Presbyter or Deacon or laicke vsing marriage without reproofe Clemens Alex. lib. 3. stroÌ„ And hee preasseth to stop the mouthes of Hereticks sayeth Chrysostome that condemneth marriage showing that it is so voyde of anie fault yea it is so precious that a man may there-with be advanced to the holy order of a Bishop Chrys in 1. ad Tit. hom 2. 3. Confession of Partie BY the decreet of the Councell of Gangra sayth Alphonsus it is most clearlie evident that by the Law of God single lyfe is no-wise needfull to the receiving of holie orders nor yet is marriage sayth hee prejudiciall to Priesthood Alphon. de castro verbo sacerdotium CHAP. VIII OF SINNE §. I. That Concupiscence which remaineth in the regenerate is Sinne properlie against that decreet of Trent sess 5. 1. Authoritie of Scripture ROm 7.7 Nay I had not knowne sinne but by the Law for I had not knowne concupiscence except the Law had sayde Thou shalt not covet Verse 23. But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mynd c. Note then That Concupiscence is sinne properlie because it is forbidden by the Law And secondlie because it rebelleth against the Law and therefore the Apostle calleth concupiscence sinne properlie when hee expresselie sayeth Verse 17. Now then it is no more I that doe it but sinne that dwelleth in mee Againe 1. Iohn 1.8 If we say that wee haue no sinne wee deceiue our selues and the trueth is not in vs. But remarke that if concupiscence were not sinne in the godlie they might at some tyme say having their actuall sinnes purged That there were not sinne anie more in them 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie COncupiscence of the flesh sayeth Augustine against which the good spirit desyreth is sinne because it rebelleth against the dominion of the mynde Aug. contra Iulian. Pelag. lib. 5. c. 5. 3. Confession of Partie COncupiscence is formallie sin sayth Cajetan in so farre as it is a part of originall sinne Cajet in Rom. 7. §. 2. That all Sinne is mortall by nature and none are veniall but onlie by Grace to those that are penitent 1. Authoritie of Scripture ROm. 6.20 For the vvages of sinne is death Note heere That there is not an exception of anie sort of sinne from deserving death therefore all sinne is pronounced mortall 1. Iohn 3.4 Who-so-ever committeth sinne transgresseth the Law for sinne is the transgression of the Law Gal. 3.10 But cursed is everie one that continueth not in all things vvhich are vvritten in the booke of the Law to doe them Note therefore That wee see if it deserue once to bee called sinne properlie it deserveth also the curse of the Law which is death eternall and consequentlie is mortall 1. Ioh. 1.7 And the Blood of Iesus Christ His Sonne cleanseth vs from all Sinne. Remarke then If all sinne requireth Christs Blood shed and death to purge it then all sinne deserveth death and therefore is mortall Mat. 12.36 But I say to you That everie ydle vvord that men shall speake they shall giue account there-of at the day of judgement Note then That at the day of judgement those sinnes which Papists call Veniall will prooue then Mortall because they will bee punished with eternall death seeing no temporall or lighter punishment is to bee then inflicted or there-after sustained 2. Witnessing of Antiquiâ—ie THose which wee thinke to be small sinnes sayeth Ierome exclude vs from the Kingdome of God Hieron in 5. c. ad Galat. 3. Confession of Partie SInnes which are called Veniall sayth Vega de justif lib. 14. c. 13. § decet they are properlie and simplie sinnes therefore wee see that they are aeque peccata altho not aequaliter peccata and consequentlie mortall So also sayth Cajetan on Matth. 5.19 By the least are vnderstood sayeth hee even those whose transgression is mortall Cajet comment p. 294. as he is cited by Eckius in indice errorum Cajetani CHAP. IX OF PREDESTINATION That wee were not predestinated vnto lyfe for our fore-seene good workeâ— as the cause but vnto good workes as the fruits and that of meere grace 1. Authoritie of Scripture EPhes 2.8 For by Grace ye are saved through Faith that not of your selues it is the gift of God Not of vvorks lest anie man should boast for vvee are his vvorkmanship created in Christ Iesus vnto good vvorks which God hath before ordained that vvee should vvalke in them Note then That good works as Bernard sayeth are the way where-in wee must walke to the kingdome but not the cause why either in election or glorificatâ—on it is bestowed vpon vs. Eph. 1.4 According as hee hath chosen vs in Him before the foundation of the World that vvee should bee holie and vvithout blame before Him in loue Having predestinated vs vnto the adoption of children by Iesus Christ to Himselfe according to the good pleasure of