nothing to recompte the same fayth to bee the onelie and infallible shoote anker of saluation by what lawe then will he adiudge them as outcastes worthie to be banished from the Catholike and Apostolike Church which professe the self same fayth of Christ that the Apostles and other Catholike Churches did profeâ—â—e But the Pope I suppose will denie That to beleeue in Christ and to worship him in heauen as our onely heade sufficeth to true fayth and saluation vnlesse we doe withall professe the Pope of Rome to be chiefe heade of the Church here on earth and our selues generally all to be members of the same Church If it be so that the fayth of Christ be not suffâ—cient ynough for the faythfull vnto saluation except the pompe of the Pope bee propt vp togither with the Maiestie of God what can bee more agreeable with reason then to make vs here three Tabernacles one to Christ an other to the Pope and the thirde and good will to the Cardinals To conclude This also ministreth no small cause of maruelling why the Pope doth not require vs likewise to correct the fourme and wordes of our Baptisme for as much as the fayth which we haue vowed to Christ in our Baptisme auayleth nothing to enfranchise vs nor to make vs free denezens of the Catholike Church except to this necessitie of fayth be tyed withall an other tagge of humble obedience to the Pope of Rome That wee correct I say the wordes of our Baptisme That whosoeuer bee baptized in the name of the Father of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost be baptized also in the name of our most holy Lorde the Pope But if this bee true the cerâ—entie whereof cannot be denied That wee were neuer admitted into the participation of holy Churche in the Popes name and that the want thereof is no maner of Estoppell to barre vs any way from being vnited vnto Christ as members of his bodie howe dare that lying mouâ—h be so monstruously impudent as to condemne the seruaunts of Christ for Heretiques to exclaime agaynst vs as Apostataes and runnagates from the Church to accuse kinges and Queeâ—es to bee supporters of Heretikes Nay rather by what reason or Scripture will he defenâ—e himselfe so that all the worlde may not plainly perceyue him to bee the verie selfe same whome Saint Paule in his Epistle to the Thessalonians doth by most euident demonstration forewarne them shoulde come who sitting in the Temple of God shoulde keepe a sturre not as a minister of Christe but most arrogantly vaunt himselfe to be as a God Which woordes sithence doe so in all pointes accorde with the life and manners of the Pope as that they can not seeme to signifie any other Let the Pope bee throughly well aduised first howe hee may bee able to cleare himselfe before God before he accuse others before men But an other time shal serue more fit for this treaty hereafter more at large God willing THE POPE CONFVTED THE HOLY AND APOSTOLICAL CHVRCHE CONFVTING THE ERROVRS OF THE POPES DOCTRINE THE SECOND ACTION IT appeareth manifesâ—ly ynough I suppose by the former discourse that wee haue not departed from out the Church of Christ in that we haue sequestreâ— our selues from the Romish Sinagogue In this present action therefore nowe it may seeme conuenient that we render the reason that moued vs to renouÌ„ce that Romish route and set downe as briefly as we may the verie pointes withall wherein we swarue from them Wherein neuerthelesse shal not bee altogither amisse to aduertise the gentle Readers hereof chiefly That we entred into this controuersie agaynst the aduersaries not of anie set purpose to rayse contention and debate in the Church nor of any desire to quarell and contende nor yet of any euill affection that wee beare to the persons themselues agaynst whome wee maintaine argument nâ— yet for that we woulde not much more willingly bee coupled with them in one lincke of Christian vnitie and concord if the vnitie which they offered vnto vs were such as we might by any meanes yeeld vnto without preiudice of the fayth and glorie of Christ without staine of conscience without manifest treachery and Apostasie or without vnauoydable daunger of the safetie of our soule But the matter being now growne to this poynt that we can by no possible meanes be at vnitie with Christ if we partake with them what remaineth then at the length wherin they may eyther iustify agaynst vs or alledge for further defence in their owne behalfe If they accuse vs of Apostasie or falling from them let them then first by plaine demonstration make manifest the verie nature of right Apostasie Surely if those that haue seuered themselues from the Primitiue and true Catholilike Church and be reuolted from the first founders of Christian faith from the auncient Fathers from the Apostles from the infallible principles of the Euangelical doctrine to an other doctrine to mens traditions to forreine forged nouelties of Religion to worshipping of Idols to a strange Gospel altogether vnknowne to the Apostles to patter praiers in vnknowne and barbarous speeches may rightly be called plaine runnagates no men in the worlde deserue to be called Apostataes in my iudgement more properly and truly than this generation of Papists broode But here againe will some one of them replie that they stande vpon a good grounde of possession not able to be gainesayde which they holde of the holy and Catholike Church neuer discontinued since the verie age and time of the Apostles themselues from the which they say that wee being but fewe in number hedgecreepers as it were in corners through treacherous backsliding haue as it were abandoning our natiue Country shrowding our selues in the hil Auentine withdraweÌ„ our selues like rebels To stoppe those slaunders againe let this answere suffice First as concerning the number whether we bâ—e many or fewe it maketh little to purpose In the Church of Christ sayeth Augustine consideration must bee had of the grauitie of the matter and not of the number of voyces and it happeneth oftentimes that the greater number preuayleth agaynst the better by number of polles rather than by trial of trueth yea Christ himselfe viewing the number of his flocke pronounceth it to be very smal so also when hee confesseth that many bee called yet hee addeth foorthwith that the elect be not many but fewe in number in so much that he seemeth to doubt whether the same sonne of man shall finde fayth in the earth when hee shal come Yet for al this if a true computation may be yeelded of men of nations and people by the poll it self of al such as with al their hartes do detest the fraudes and contagion of the Romishe false religion there wil not so small a number appeare in their eyes as happly either they coniecture themselues or at lest ought to make so slender accompt of But as concerning the Churche it self let
times seuen He was accounted the only fountaine of all iurisdictions from whose fulnesse behooued all Bishops to drawe their authoritie without all question What needeth any long processe Assoone as the Church began to chaunge his head and the Pope ganne too take vppon hym the place of Christe foorthwith came to passe that togeather with this newe heade vpstart suche a femshapen visour of religion as scarse any one iotte of the auncient discipline remained vnpolluted For the Scriptures beeyng now commaunded too silence nothing coulde be heard nothing coulde bee deliuered too feede the humours of suche as woulde haue beene learned but Canons Lawes Decrees and Decretalles of the Pope vppon these were the nymblest and finest wittes employed By these were all causes Politikeâ— Ciuill and Ecclesiasticall both publique and priuate determined in churches in Iudgementes in Consistories common pleadings Councels Godlines which tofore was enstalled in the spirituall enstruction of the minde and in the true conuersation of Christe was nowe posted ouer too other gewgawes which should hold mens senses captiue and not edifie theyr consciences whereby neglecting the thyngs which only auayled to the obteining of saluation the vnlettered multitude was carried away into I know not what newfangled mysteries too Oyle too Waxe Salte Water to the Moone shining in the water to Cowles to Belles to Chaliâ—es Temples and Aultars coÌ„secrated with the Popes blessing to Iubiles Immunities to Graces to Expectaâ—ioÌ„s to PreuentioÌ„s yeerely Pentionsâ— Palles Indulgeâ—ces Bulles Pardons and to surceasse heere too reckon vpp the infinite rabble of the remayning ragges wherewith they had peruerted all things cleane contrary to Chriâ—tes institution Sacraments gelded newe chopt in place one parte of the Sacrament craftily conueied from the vse of the Layitie praiers pattered and mumbled in an vnknown language priuate Masses in steede of the holy Communion iumbled vp in all corners of Churches where the Priest not imparting any portion to the people but vttering it too the gaze to bee tooted vpon and worshipped first lifteth it aboue his Crowne then swalowes it downe alone not in remembraunce of the Lordes death and passion but whole Christe fleshe blood and bone to the saluation of body and soule For this Article was the very sinowes bones and marrow of most absolute religion couple here with satisfactions Purgatorie pickpurse the vnblooddy sacrifice of the Masse assurednesse of saluation not depending vpon Christe only and faith in him but to bee purchased with righteousnesse of workes redeeminges of merites and pardons for siluer and coyne For reformation therefore of these so many and so horrible outrages seeing they seemed nowe in no case tollerable it seemed good to the Almightie Maiestie too yeelde his mercifull countenance at the length For albeit Antichriste must of necessitie haue his time to play his Pageant in yet coulde not the mercy of the father deny y e gracious coÌ„solatioÌ„ to his church vnto y â— which it had obliged it selfe with an euerlasting couenant but that it must releeue her necessities beyng surprised now with suche miserable and almost vnrecouerable calamities And to the ende he might bring the same too passe most commodiously without any vproare hee stirred not vp Princes to armes neyther prouoked he to blooddy battell but as I sayde before sent downe from aboue this inestimable Iewell of Printing intoo the earth which shoulde first disclose the liuely welspringes of purest doctrine and publishe abroade too the worlde the auncient authours of learned antiquitie and withall shoulde deliuer at large to the open viewe of all men the bookes of holy Scriptures and the purest and grauest Fathers of the Primitiue Churche and those also in suche great abundaunce and at so reasonable prices as that no man coulde be of so poore abilitie not to bee able too buye for a fewe pence whatsoeuer booke him listed and to peruse them for his instruction By this meanes Maugre the Pope and his Cardinalles began Christe by little and little too bee made familiar to the worlde the Prophetes and Euangelisâ—es sounded into mens eares euery where Paule Peter and other Doctours Expositours of soundest and purest Diuinitie were conuersaunt dayly in the eyes and handes of the people which beeyng aduisedly read ouer and growne at length to some acquaintaunce is almost incredible to beleeue howe woonderfull a light of doctrine howe vnsatiable a greedinesse to learne and to reade what a sodaine enterchange of maners what a beautifull countenance of all thinges ensued and floorished euen vppon the sodaine Heere loe that infinite number of Painters whereof I made mention before out of the dreame of Iohn Hus. Heere loâ— those painted Images in the temple of God spoken of before ingrauen nowe in the mindes and harts of Christians being not of any new inuention notw tstanding neither forged vpon any newe Anvyle as you are wont to slaunder vs but euen the selfe same which were by you yea by your owne selues scraped and blotted out were nowe restored againe to theyr former integritie against the which from hencefoorth all the whole broode of Papistes shall neuer bee able too preuaile againe Moreouer after these Painters before rehearsed sprange vp many others the number whereof encreaseth dayly which yeelde most commendable trauayle with as good successe partly too restore the auncietie sinceritie and puritie of good literature partly too reedifie the derayed crazes and ruines of the aunciente Churche of Christe On this wise new sound sciences cowpled with pure religion merueâ—lously floorishing in dayly encreasinges in very fit time and place stept foorth Martine Luther into the worlde and yet not hee onely and alone but a great number of worthie personages together with him excellent men both in faith and learning all which associated in one and vndertakiug so rightfull and necessary a patronage of the distressed Gospell where as they taught nothing else therein either to themselues or to othersâ— but the only glory of Christe iustifâ—yng theyr doctrine by the vndoubted and most pure fountaines of gods woorde There was no cause nowe why you shoulde so furiously rage against your own brethren the Christians yea and that without all deserte and like to troublesome Dauus in Terence turning and turmoyling all thinges vpside downe rayse vp suche monstrous tempestes and scorching whirlewindes of hot persecutions Nay rather it behooued you to haue yeelded most hartie thankes too the Lorde beeyng the husband of his most deare spouse the Churche and haue inforced all your aide helpe power and pollicie withall to the enlarging of his glory according to pietie and as the duetie of your function did exact and bind you vnto But what helhounde nowe what Beelzebub prince of darkenesse hath so bewitched you with madde frensie that you shoulde so monstruously with so horrible ouâ—rage rushe vpon the godly seruantes of Christe contrary to the expresse woorde of your God yea without all regard of charitie or shame and in steede of a christian
Charles to flight taking his sonne prisoner brought the matter to such passe as that at the sound of a bel aboue 8000. Frenche which were at that time in guarrison in Sicil were miserably slayne and hauocke made of man woman childe without pitie or mercy And yet for all this could not this Scorpionlike serpent of Romish riot bee any thing appeased for Pope Martin the 4. takes partie again with the French practiseth with Philip the French king to pursue Peter king of Arragon commaundes him to inuade his kingdome him self soundeth the alarme and giueth the onset They rush eche vpoÌ„ other as cruel Tigres grâ—edy of the pray all handes be embrued with goare amiddes which hurly burly skarse one whole yere was ouer past before y e pope Martine dieth After whose death Honorius 4. the next successor practised with Rodolphe king of Romans to come speedely to Rome and receiuing at his handes the name and maiestie Imperiall to chase the Frenche and Spanyardes out of Champaigne Calabre Apulia and Sicil and to vnite the same to the Roman Empire By meanes of which tumulte of the Popâ— the whole naâ—ion of Italy state of Germany had byn reÌ„t in pieces with horrible slaughter of the people if death had not snatchâ— away that pestiferous Pope betimes What should I rehearse here the furies of Nicholas 4. who bicause hee would not be altogether vnlike his forerunners was coÌ„tented to annexe to the infamous contumâ—ly of the popes maiestie to the euerlasting reproche of his own name this shamelesse acte To wit To proclaime the great curse against the Earle of Tyrol besides many oâ—heâ— his mischieuouse treacheries against him vpon none 〈◊〉 cause but onely bicause the Earle would not yelde ouer his true and lawful inheritance to the Bishop of TrideÌ„t who made chalenge thereto contrarie to all â—quitie law and Iustice. But I can not say whether any one of all the rable afore rehearsed may seeme to exceede Boniface the 8. in pride in villanies Who was so moÌ„strously puft vp with pride beyond all imagination vnmeasurably swâ—â—â—en with vnshamefast insolencie that he shamed not to interdict Philip the French king by his legate fortified with most arrogant bulles commanding him as hee woulde answere the authoritie Papane to resigne the kingdome of Fraunce to the Sea Apostolike What more impudâ—t demande could haue byn imagined of the most villanous Pyrate of the worlâ— What more currish commande deliuered from any though more madde then a march hare What action more resembling the Turkish fury certes there could nothing haue byn done or deuised more disagreeable and lesse beseeming an Apostle or the successor of an Apostle In good felowship pope of Rome speak euen for the reuerence ye beare to S. Peter S. Paul Did the Apostle Peter giue euer any such president whiles he liued Or if he liued nowe would he commit any such outrage as did Pope Clement 5. without all regarde of shame who procuring the Emperour Henry 5. to mainteine most cruel battaile against Robert king of Apuliaâ— whiles the two princes were by the eares turned his tip pet and ioyned in armes against the said Emperour on the behalf of the said king or would Peter haue byn euer sâ— mad as with the next Pope folowing Iohn the 22. by bâ—ll proclaimed him self father and prince of all ChristeÌ„dome chiefe legate of the high God or vaunted him selfe to be of full power and highest authoritie able to dispose kingdomes Empires where and vpon whom him listed Who in the end of his bul gaue in special coÌ„mandement to Lodowike the Emperour to relinquish the Empire within three monethes and to resigne the name and title of a king not presuming from thencefoorth to reenter vpon any such dignitie without his speciall license warrante vpon refusall whereof hee further chargeth all his nobles estates aswel spiritual as temporal to abaÌ„don their king and compell him to yelde his necke vnder the yoake of Apostolical obedience I should neuer skarsly finde an end of this beadrol if I should decipher out of histories al that I could touching Vrbane the 6. Clement Martine the 5. Pius the 2. Sixtus the 4. Iulius the 2. Paule the thirde and such like the number wherof being infinite I passe ouer if I should I say rippe abroade the wofull and no lesse loathesome remeÌ„brance of al their cruel tragedies schismes broiles conspiracies horrible treasons and rebellions against kings Emperours Massacres murthers pillages of people practises of warre subuersion of Monarches nations the remeÌ„brance thereof would be no lesse loathsome then tedious But I leaue all this to a more ample treatie for the manifestation whereof according to the marueilous varietie of their treacheries abhominatioÌ„s I doute me whether any time toung or pen may suffice For what mischief hath at any time these many yeeres now byn executed in all Christendome what treachery or treason hath long sithence troubled wasted kingdomes and Empires which this holy famous successour of Peter hath not either for the more part fathered furthered or byn the chief procurer piller I beseech you tel vs plainely holy father What abhomination hath your Sea byn cleare of What iniquitie wanted to fulfil your rage what destruction did not your practises procure What crueltie spared your Consistories to put in execution how many slaughters of most innocent Christians how many flames of skorched martyrs how many bloody bucheries of your owne naturall brethren remaine at this present manifest testimonies of your infamoâ—s sauadgenesse and damnable horror To passe ouer in silence meanewhiles those couert packes of your pestilent impietie which for very shame I spare to speake O most holy yea thrise most sacred successor of â—hapostle Peter Nay rather O beastly and shamelesse impudency of an harlot past all shame O most insolent and forlorne arrogancie of a most vile varlet dare you for shame once take in your mouth the name of Peter of Paul of Christe or of any of his Apostles or of the catholike church by any meanes Whose life is not onely not correspoâ—dent but the whole state and course of doctrine also direcâ—ly discrepant from the liues and preachings of Peter and Paul who doest practise al wayes possible to shake asunder the prescript lawe of the Gospell to chaunge the countenaunce of Christes schoole to confounde the peace of Christians and the libertie of Christian churches and to deface the life of the godly with shamefull slauâ—ders and lyes For what els emporte whereunto tende these your so many peeuish puppettes in your churches your so many pelting patrones in heauen so many blasphemous brayings in your prayers and worshippings so many sowterly sacrifices in Masses so many sauadge sacriledges in sacramentes such horrible bloodthirstinesse in your iudgements such woluishe rauening in your decrees but to forclose vs all saluation in heauen and all
as in very deed they were the broode of the deuil Neither wanâ—ed such like busibodies in the Apostles tyme whome S. Paul worthely reprouing spared not to cal false Apostles false brethren dogs euil workmen enemies of Christes crosse The Angel in the Apocalipse speaketh of theÌ„ on this wise they would be accompted Iewes but in very deede they be the synagogue of Sathan To conclude with what sort of people hath not only Christes churche but al commoÌ„ weales also bene pestered more at any time then with such kinde of naughtipackes which when either can not or wil not walke the right way to true renowme do foorthwith not only seeke pilladge of the people but procure also the hassard of their soules health couÌ„terfait hypocrites gloasing flattering the vulgar sort of people entraping the simple The like crafty colour vsed the sect of Mahomet who bicause would not seeme to be Agarenes coyned theÌ„ selues the name of Saracenes as though they were generation of Sara so deceaued the people And the beast mentioned in the Apocalips beeing nothing lesse then a Lambe did wonderfully bewitche men vnder the counterfaict face and hornes of a lambe But here again happly wil some friend of the Romish Churche take me vp for stumbling saying what a matter is this do ye on this wise compare so sacred a Sea to the Agarenes and Saracenes seeing that these do carry no shewe or any resemblance at all of the visible churche neither ought to be named by the name of ChristiaÌ„s On the other side though the Patriarke of Rome be not allowed amongst you as head of the church yet can he not be denied to bee a member of the visible churche and to haue a place amoÌ„gst the Christian congregation For as much then as this bishop hath his place of a Christian in the Christian church for this cause surely it doth not beseeme Christians to sâ—quester them â—elues from Christians What needeth longer answere hereto then at one worâ—e to answere with Cicero Why should I hearken to speeches when I see deedes Certes if he bee a Christian byshop as he requireth to be accompted his offence is so much the more haynous in this that vnder the visor of a Christian he executeth such outrage so furiously and so sauadgly breathing out slaughter vtter destruction of Christians as that no man may doute but that this Abadon hath murthered burnte and oppressed greater heapes of Christian carcasses then any one of all the heathenish sauadge which proclayme them selues to bee open enemies of Christianitie Yea by so much the more is he to be detested then the Saracenes by how much lesse an open enemy hurteâ—h in respect of the priuie lurking and domesticall Scorpion whereof the one may somewhat be preuented by foresight but this other doth â—urther at vnawares before any notice or warning giuen Moreouer to admitte also to be true that this same prelate hath the place of greatest preeminence not onely amongest the Christians but also in the very bosome of the visible churche howe farre forth I pray you will this aâ—ayle for as much as Antichriâ—t him selfe must plante his seate in the chiefest temple of God garded with so great a guarrison of humble attendauntes the multitude whereof is described vnto vs by the prophetical scripture in these woordes And hee made all bothe small and great ryche and poore free and bonde to receiue a marke in their right hande or their foreheades And that no man might buye or sell but hee that had the marke of the name of the beast or the number of his name c. Nowe therefore if a man doe shunne and flee from this poyson and venimous contagion though it be enshrined neuer so gloriously in the visible churche it foloweth not therefore hereupon necessarily that the same doth vtterly renounce the visible church of Christe No more is this true likewyse though the Pope with his shauelings and Cardinals be some part and portion of a visible church that therefore the state of the vâ—â—uersall churche consisteth wholy in them But they proceede neuerthelesse too their suttle â—ophismes What say they doth not the vniuersal church of Christe embrace the faith of Rome euery where Go to and what then I praye you Ergo he that seâ—ludeth him selfe from the faith of Rome can not choose but renounce the vniuersall church of Christe What answere shall I frame better too this suttle sophisme but too deny both partes thereof both the assumption and conclusion For the church did neither heretofore alwayes confesse the Romish faith that is now to be vniuersall neither doth the vniuersall churche of the whole worlde confesse the same at this present as the which groundeth her ankerholde vpon the Apostolike faith and not vpon the Romishe faith Neither we though we do not allowe but abrogate vtterly all singuler the assertions of the Romish religion being now in vre haue therefore renounced the vniuersal church Ouer besides to yelde thus much also y â— a great yart of the vnlettered multitude do at this preseâ—â— receiue the Romish ragges yet behoueth vs to haue consideration not of that which the common people do affectionate but what may be iustifiable by the touchstone of truth So neither must we regarde what the Romish faith is at this present rather we must be wel aduised what the first faith thereof was and what it ought to be now also That person surely which withdraweth him selfe from erroneous doctrine chopt into the churche through the ignorance and treacherie of some teachers doth not fall away from the church but rather â—oth seeke to salue the soares of the church If the Pope of Rome such as professe them selues to be pillers of the Romishe churche will make proofe vntoo vs that their Romishe church swarueth nothing from the Apostolike churche that their faith withal is not defiled with many filthy vnsauery dregges errors then let them condemne vs of Apostasy for our departure from them But if they be not able to do soâ— yea if they theÌ„ selues haue not by much more probable arguments renouncing the doctrine of the Apostles the discipline of the best approued church transfourmed them selues into a certein newfangled doctrine let the indiffereÌ„t reader iudge hereof whether they or we desâ—rue most iustly to be condemned of Apostasie But you were sometime militant in the same churche where we be now will they say from whence you are nowe fallen awaye and departed from vs. It is true in deede So did your predecessours agree once well and godly wiâ—h Christ with his Apostles with the ancient and godly fathers why haue you abandoned them and changed your tippeâ—tes theâ— If you may thinke it lawfull for you to raunge at randon out of â—he true track of religion wherein you did treade sometime a right and to suffer your sâ—lues to be carried away through rockâ—s and â—ragges
be found which being famous raysed aloft as a citie builded vpon an high hill may bee seene of al people a farre of and ought to bee credited of all the Nations of the earth And bicause this shape of a Church can not be seene any where at this present but amongst that people and nation onely ouer whom the Bishop of Rome must be acknowledged for chief head hereof must it follow of necessitie That there is no true and glorious Church of Christ except this onely Romish Church and that al other Churches besides be foreiners infamous and no Churches at al as the which being not able to deriue any certenâ—ie of their discent and antiquity ought not in any respect beare the name of Christian Churches but must be accounted rather for dennes and conuenticles of heretiques And thus much nowe by the way touching the Church the treatie whereof God willing shall bee sette forth with larger discourse in other bokes hereafter This lesson in the meane â—pace will not bee amisse to bee foretolde That if it bee true that Christ himselfe did plainly pronounce that his kingdome was not of this worlde and this also as true which hee doth else where affirme that the things which doe seeme mightie and glorious to the iudgement of men are accounted for vile drosse and abhomination in the sight of God finally if the estate of the most holy Apostles and Martyrs of Christ was alwayes such as it became rather odious to the worlde then accepted or of any estimation that such as applied neerest to Christ were alwayes despised most and that the Disciple cannot bee greater than his maister certes it can not possibly bee that this Churche of the Pope so mightie and glorious in the worlde so renowmed and famous in worldly pompe and excâ—sse so magnified and fawned vpon with the wel likings and alliances of Princes should haue any affâ—nitie or alliance at all with Christ the onely head of the Church or any fellowship with the Apostles I come nowe to other partes of the Romish doctrine in the which the Papists do seeme no lesse Iewish then in the shaping and fashioning of their Church as I sayd before For if the doctrine of Paule bee most true where discoursing of the reiection of the Iewes that sought their iustification by the lawe he rendered a reason wherefore they could not attaine thereto Bycause sayth he they sought to be come righâ—eous not by faith but by workes Lâ—t vs see I pray you what else doth the Romish religion proclaime at this day then that wee oughâ— to make our way passable to heaueÌ„ by industrious works precepts of good life reposing the whole shoote anker of assured affiance trust in the same not bycause we beleue on him that doth iustifie the sinner but in doing workes of this life which do exclude all impietie How shall we say that the great Clearkes and Doctours which teach this such like doctrine do differ from naturall Iewishnesse If the Iewes seeking to be iustiâ—ied by woorkes were for this only cause cleane cut of from true rightuousnesse according to the testimonie of Paule what hope may they conceyâ—e at the length to attaine true rightuousnesse which thrusting faith into a corner do raise vppe the whole building of their iustification vpon that tickle and sandle foundation of workes But thou wilt say these men doe not so altogether abrogate fayth but that they couple her together with works by a necessarie and an inseparable coniunction I do know indeede that fayth is peraduenture in some estimation amongst them yet such an estimation this is as that they will in no wise yeeld vnto her her true dignitie and due place of estate For whereas no one thing is resiant in vs nor giueÌ„ vnto vs miserable wretches fâ—oÌ„ aboue that may make vs acceptable vnto God may obteine his fauour may cure our diseases may deliuer from the fetters and chaines of sinne may turne away wrath and vengeance may ouercome the worlde may crush in peeces the horrible tyrannie of death and the deuill may stande boldely and vnuanquishable in the face â—f hell gates finally which may ouerspreade vs poore forlorne caâ—â—iues drowned in the doung and durt of the earth with the gladsome sunneshine of heauenly life and vnspeakeable glorie of immortalitie besides this onely inestimable Iewel namely fayth in Christ in the which all our hope and riches togither with all the promises of God are fast locked vp as it were in a certaine Arke of couenant when as also the selfe same fayth linked and vnited togither with other vertues doth not onely farre surmount al those vertues in her singular excellencie and power but also of her owne force onely and alone satisfie and accomplish all the partes of our redemption yea and so accomplishe the same as that where she leadeth alwaies whole troups of most excellent vertues with her needeth not neuerthelesse any their helpe at al towards the procuring of Gods fauour I beseech you for the loue you beare to Christ what peruerse peuishnâ—sse and I know not whether more malicious or shamelesse impudencie of men is this I say of the false docâ—ors of Rome which being addicted to the Romish ragges seeme by a certaine destinie as it were borne of purpose for the vtter ouerthrowe of Christes Church so to embase this same faith in Christ euen vnder al other vertues as a very naked bare fruitlesse thing of it selfe as that they scarcely can finde in their heartes to graunt her any commendation in heauen or any place of acceptance in earth For what else doe these wordes of theirs import wherewith they tearme this fayth onely onely rashnesse yea and no fayth at al but impudencie temeritie and arrogancie Where they affirme the Gospel whereof we make mention to be sediâ—ious full of fraude and deceyte Moreouer where in all their bookes and writings they doe so vtterly suppresse this fayth of Christ as that they dare presume to say that there is no passable way to heauen but that which is purchased with holy workes and most excellent integritie of life I will couple herewith though not out of the foresayd Authour but out of the publike instrument and decree of the late Tridentine Councell In which Councell whereas those gay iolly gallants did most filthily erre in many thinges yet played they not the Philosophers in any one decree more perilously then where they vttered their Stoicall opinion in the doctrine of Iustification by Christ. Which being proclaymed vnto vs throughout the whole tenour of the Scriptures to bee freely giuen without all mediation of any other thing besides the onely promise of God through fayth in Iesus Christ our Lorde contrariwise those gracious fathers do so iumble and wrappe vp this grace of God full of sauing health and freely offered wholy replenished with most comfortable consolation and safety in one hotchpot mingled as it were with
on fridayes lent The Apostle doth call this The doctrine of Deuils That we should for the cleansing of our sinnes flee to masses and propiciatorie sacrifices It is horrible saâ—riledge directly against the office and glorie of Christ who onely and alone is appointed by the scripture to be the propitiation for our sinnes That by auricular confession enioyned penance the fetâ—ers of sinne may be loased and the fier of purgatorie qnenched The Gospel of Christ teacheth an other doctrine which wil take notyce of no sacrifice nor clensing of sinne but of the only death and passion of Christ Iesu. And hee saieth S. Iohn is the propiciation for our sinnes Likewyse S. Peter That through his name all that beleeue in him shall receaue remission of sinnes To the same effect wee heare out of the Euangelical doctryne that wee bee iustified through fayth without woorkes But the Popes dulcymer soundeth otherwise which sâ—eming as it were to yeelde some little interest of iustifying to faith yet transposeth the chiefe perfection therof vnto works Christ doth make this proclamation he that beleueth in me hath euerlasting life But the Popes prelates cry out That ther is none other passable way to heauen but which is procured with holy woorkes and passing integritie of life Paule doth pronounce hee is our righteousnesse meaning that all bee accompted for righteouse as many as beleâ—ue in Christ. These iolly fellowâ—s doo vrge against him that we become righteouse not by the meane of our beliefe in Christ but in that we bee righteousely doing workes yet peraduenture they wil not deny this That Christ is our righteousnes but the meane whereby hee dooth iustifie vs they allowe noâ— Christ by fayth the Papistes by woorkes Christ freely the Papâ—â—tes not without condition of charity annexed Whereas Christ dooâ—h cure vs in like manner as the serpent in olde time did heale the wounded which was done by only looking vpon it This can not the Papistes away withal in any wyse Moreouer whereas wee bâ—e taught by the woords of the scriâ—ture that by one oblation they are made perfect which be sanctified for euer The Pope doth deny that there is but one only oblation vnlesse Christ be dayly offred for a sacrifice to his father in their propiciatory masses Christ instituting his last supper intoo the remembraunce of his body and blood did distribute to al ingeneral the bread and wyne withal and commaunded the same to bee done in lyke maner The Pope commaundeth otherwise to deliuer the people one parte of the sacrament only without the wyne Christ departing from the earth did promise that hee woulde send an other comforter that the Church shoulde not want a comforter to supply his absence And dare the Pope not beeing satisfied with the holy spirite of Christ whom Tertullian called by the name of Christes vicar presume to cal him selfe Christes vicar or shall wee beleeue him in his presumption Paul doth deny them to bee partakers of Gods righteousnes which doo seeke too establishe their owne And with what edge dare these Romanists which carue out their owne righteousnes so greedily conceaue too partake with Gods rightuousnes The same Paul teacheth That Christ is the ende of the lawe vnto rightuousnes to al that beleeue But let vs see this notable famous schoole of Rome to what end it leadeth vs what way it carryeth vs. Forsooth not from the lawe vntoo Christ not from woorkes vnto faith not from faith vnto righteousnes but setting the carte before the horse euen as though the ende of the lawe were not Christe but the marke of Christ were the lawe haling vs backewarde from faiâ—h to woorkes from the Gospel to the law from the spirite and truthe to shadowes to coapes to annoylinges to shauings to holiwater to stagelyke gestures to ceremonies to rytes to outwarde geugawes to obseruaunces of places times persons and succâ—ssions too mens traditions and constitutions too penitentiary satisfactions from these to rightuousnesse and in fine from Christianitie too Iewishnes so that besides onely circumcision wanteth nothing to make vs appeare the disciples of Moyses rather then the disciples of Christ. The Lord dooth commaunde vs in a certaine place to searche the scripturesâ— bycause saieth hee they beare witnesse of mee The Pope dooth forbyde that Not permitting the people to reade in their owne house nor too heare in the Churches so much as the promise made vnto them in their baptisme but in the toung which they vnderstande not Christe in his Gospel can in no wise disgest them which say Loe heere is Christ Loe there is Christ. And what els doth the Pope if not in woordes yet in very deeds who commaundeth al Christians ingeneral to become subiect too Peters chaire which chayre may bee placed no where but in Rome as though Christ or Peter doo make their aboade no where but in the Citie of Rome or at the least wyse more readyly there then else where Lyke fable to this is that other whereas all manner of woorshipping God aright is not tyed too any heâ—gâ—h of hils or famousnes of ciâ—ies that the heauenly maiesty is most rightly called vpon in that place wheresoeuer he is worshipped in spirit truthe The Pope of Rome doth make a far other minglemangle of this spiritual worshipping god not only with inâ—umerable Idols shapes of earthly creatures but skatâ—ereth the same abroade into manifolde infinite seates of pilgrimages stations hilles temples and places As though the only authority of Câ—rist coulde of it selfe auaile very litle vnlesse it were vnderpropped with ruinous pillers of Saincts or as though Christ were not able to mynister helpe in al places indifferently being prayed vntoo with lyke affectioÌ„ of religioÌ„ EueÌ„ so they which gadd to Rome to visit the tombe of Peter and Paul or raunge to Compostella to see S. Iames or which doo conceaue in their mindes that the Sainctes be more effectual in one place then in an other what say they els then loe here is Christ loe there is Christ. If the heauenly father doo require such woorshippers which woorshippe him in spirite and trueth to what purpose serueth so special a prescription of stations and holy Seas so greate and tediouse chace rechace hither and thitherof pilgrims for deuotion sake Hithertoo haue I disclosed the maskinges of the Popish religion though not al that I could yet as many as wil serue our present purpose sufficiently ynough Nowe that I may bee so bolde to leade the Pope home too his owne person I will call him backe to the very roote of his progeny and stocke euen to Saint Peter himselfe whome as hee vaunteth to bee the founder of his Sea so will I vouche the same against him for a witnesse too confounde his doctryne This therefore do I demaunde of this good Syre whether Saint Peter ought to bee numbered in the number
17. Gregâ—ry in his 4 booke the 38 Epiâ—tlâ— to Luâ—oâ— Peter was neither head of the Church nor vniuersall Apoâ—â—lâ— Galat. 2. Chrysâ—st vpon Paules Epâ—stle to the Romanâ—s The vniuersall Iurisdiction of the Pope confuted Iohn .6 Luke .14 Iohn .13 Matth. 23. Luke .16 Matth. 5. In what sense Peter was calleâ— prince of the Apostles Peter called prince of the Apostles as Cicero was called prince of eloquence in reâ—pect of eâ—cellencie not of superâ—oritie Mat. 4. Luke 5. Iohn 21. Peter made fisher of men not prince of men Actes .8 Pope Alexander the 3. Hâ—stiensis Extrauagan dâ— eâ—ectâ— electi poâ—â—state Hadriâ—n Clâ—mâ—nt 5â— Honâ—rius 3. Gregory 9. Vrbanus 4. Innocent 4. Clement 4. All the French in Sicile yong and olde were slaine at the sound of a bell Martin 4â— Honorius 4. Nicholâ—s 4. Boniface 8. Clement .5 Iohn .22 Vrbane .6 Clement Martine .5 Pius .2 Sixtus .4 Iulius .2 Paulus .3 The succession of the Pope discouered and confuted 2. Quest. 7. Omnes Dist. 40. â—erome writing to Helyodore The councel of Constance The ordinary succession prefiteth nothing in the sight of God Maâ—asses Caiaphas The Iâ—wes Iohn .9 Mat. 3. Luâ—e 2. Mat. 23. Iames .1 Ephe. 5. No resemblaÌ„ce betwixt Peter and the Pope The state of the chayre of the Romish Monarchyâ— Betwixt the Pope and Peter Esay 5. 2. Ezechiel .34 It is not the chayre but the good life that maketh a man Apostolical Neanthus sonnâ— of Pittacus The continuance of succeeding Bishops in the Church is no sufficient cloke to coulor error The ordinary succession of popeâ— hath bin discontinued broken of The light of doctrine and trueth restoreâ— The Popâ—s Bullâ—s against the faithfâ—l sâ—ruants of Christâ— The slaunders of the Pope against the Queene of Englandâ— The Oration of Queene Elizabeth to the Pope Matth. 5. Lâ—â—ius The cause of the Popes malice against Elâ—zabeâ—h Queene of England How this saying without the Churche is no hope of saluation must be conâ—trued The Câ—tholâ—kâ— fayâ—h Athanasius Creede The Nycene Creede The Romish fayth Bâ—â—â—â— in his 78. Epiâ—â—le The Catholike church amongst the Grecians eâ—empt from the Church of Rome We read in our Creeâ— the holy and Catholike Church but not the Romain Church The onely faiâ—h and doâ—trine of Christ doth vnite Câ—ristiâ—â—s to the Câ—uâ—châ— Three Tabernacles â— Thessal 2. Luke â—2â— Matâ— 20. 2â—â— Luke 18. A compaâ—ison betwixt the auncieÌ„t church of Rome and the Romish prelates nowe The life and conuâ—rsation of the auncient aâ—d Apostolical â—hurche Great differeÌ„ce betwixt the biâ—hops of the ancâ—ent and the new churche of Rome Bernard in his Epistle to Eâ—genius â— The life of the Bishoppes of Rome may seeme lesse Apostolike then Apostatique The Popes doctrine conninced in nouelty The nouâ—lâ—y of the Popes docâ—ryne was in many things vnknown to the auncieÌ„t fathers In howe many how weighty matters the Apostolicke doctryne varyeth from the popes Tertullianusâ— Apocal. 2. Apoca. â—3 Cicero in his Tusculanes the 3. booke Apoc. 13. Though the Pope with his crew be part of the church yet be they not the vniuersall church The Popes arguments deducted from the vniuersalitie The Papiâ—â—â—â— obiection Two sortes of men in the visible Church A disagreement not a departure bâ—twiâ—t the protestantes and the Papistes Osâ—c â— The errours filthines of the Popes doctryâ—e A comparison betwixt the Iewes and the Romish catholikes The persecution of Christians by the pope and his papâ—sts The ceremonies of the Iewes and the Papistes compared together The superstitioÌ„ of the Romanists in defending their traditions is more than Iewish As the Iewes do looke for a worldly Messiâ—as so the Papists doe expect a worldly vicar Like Pope like Church The very pattâ—â—â—e â—â—age of the Romish Church The Papists do play the Iewes in establishing the doctrine of rightuousnesse by workes â—om 9 10â— How fayth is esteemed with the Papistes Only faith with out works â—oâ—h accomplish the whole worke of our iusâ—iâ—icatioâ— Oâ—orâ— agaynst Haddon pagâ— 94. Oâ—or in his Epistle to the Queene of England pag. 27. 32. Tridâ—â—â—in Conc. Ses. 6. cap. 7. How fayth dotâ— beget good workes Faith as oportunitie is offred can neuer cease from doing good working alwayes throâ—â— loue Fayth in iustification is onely and alone but in working is not alone Tridentin Conc. Ses. 6. cap. 16. The infallible doâ—trine of the Tridâ—ntine Councâ—ll Sâ—ssiâ— 6 Cap. 7 Ephesians 2. Iohn .6 Iohn .11 Euerlasting life promised to the beleeuers The diffeâ—ence betwixt the law and the Gospel The vse and duetie of the lawe Wherein the vse of the law consisteth properly The Euangelicall faith The preaching of faith * 2. Cor 3. Who hath made vs able ministâ—rs of tâ—e new Testament not of the letter but of the spirite The fruite and prayse of good workes Psalm â—5 In what respect good workes be auayleable and what they bring to passe Ianuensis is his booke called Cathoâ—ico Psal. 1â—â— From whence ariseth the welâ—spring of eternal life Iustificaâ—ion is proper to faith only Mark .9 Good woorkes do not procure a man to be iustâ—fiâ—d but bee fruites and effectes of him that is iustified alâ—eady August de graâ—ia 〈◊〉 Cap. 3. Romans 4â— Titus .3 Obiection The answeres of the Apostle Howe faith and good woorkes doe agree and disagree ech with other Tully in his orâ—tion for Milo The obiectioâ— is confuted Eâ—he 5. A brief Catalogue of the popish doctrine Osor. in his 7. booke de Iustitia â—ala 3. A comparison betwixt the preachers of the lawe and the Gospel and betwixt theÌ„ which plod vpon nothing els then the rightâ—ousnes of the lawe and workes The supremacâ— of the Pâ—pe confuted Luke 22.26 Inuocation of saintes confuted Hebr. 7. Pictures and images of saintes Uowes of vâ—maried life Masses and sâ—â—rifices Satisfactions â—or â—iâ—nes 1. Iohn 2â— Actes 1â— Osor. In his Epistle to the Queene of Englande Rightuousnes by faith Iustification free One only oblation The Papistes suppâ—r without wyne The holy ghost the vicar of Christ. Tertullian de praescrip aduersus Haereticos Being taken hence into heauen to the right hande of the father hee sent his vicar power of the holy Ghoste which might comfort the faithful Christ the ende of the lawe The ende and mark of romish doctryne Iohn .5 An vnknowne toung doth not edifie Mat. 24. Idolatroâ—s pilgrimages Peter the Apostle is denied to haue beene bishop of Rome The functions of Apostles and Bishoppes bee diuerse The Pope of Rome is falsely supposed to bee Peteâ—s successor How much the popes doctryne is swarued froÌ„ the disciplyne Apostolique 1. Peter .2 Of the sacramentes The abhominable corruptions of the papists in the Lordes supâ—er * Aug. ad Infantes is cyted by Bedâ— 1. Cor. 10. That which you see is bread and wine which also your eyes do declare maniâ—eâ—â—ly * Augustâ— de trinitate 3. booke cap. â— Myracles are properly applyed too declare to our senses some supernatural and heauenly power In the sacrament nothing