Rom. 15.4 1. Thess 5.20 2. Pet. 1.19 Authoritie of the Church Act. 2.42 19 20. Ephes 5.24 Sacraments Their seauen-fold number 1. Cor. 11.23 Reue. 22.18 Their opus operatum Eph. 4.5 Their whole taking away sinne Rom. 7.7 8. 1. Ioh. 1.8 Their sacrifice of the Masse Heb. 7.24 9.15 10.10 Reall presence Ioh. 6.35 Act. 3.21 1. Cor. 11.37 Keeping backe the cup from the lay people 1. Cor. 11.33 34. Will-worship Coloss 2.18 20 23. Math. 15.9 Veniall sinnes Rom. 6.23 Iames 1.15 Prayer To Saints Angels Rom. 10.14 Col. 2.18 In an vnknown tongue 1. Cor. 14.16 The Church A promiscuous company Eph. 5.25 26. 1. Ioh. 2.19 False markes Math. 24.23 Popish monarchie 2. Thess 2.4 6 7. Reuel 13.8 Popish Hierarchy pardons and suspensions Act. 11.28 2. Cor. 10.4 Sanctification Jn obseruation of dayes and meates Coloss 2.16 Rom. 14.14 Faith A beliefe in generall Rom. 10.14 Jmplicite Iam. 2.19 in hereticks and wicked men 2. Thess 3.2 Repentance Free will 1. Cor. 2.14 Coloss 2.13 Meritorious Rom. 4.5 6. Auricular confession Luk. 5.21 Places after this life Only two Heauen and Hell Reuel 14.13 22.13 Good workes Before Iustification Matth. 12.33 Luk. 6.43 Rom. 11.17 Merit of them Rom. 5.12 Galat. 3.11 Heb. 11.17 Exemption from obedience 1. Tim. 2.1 2. Iude 1. Purgatorie Luk. 23.43 2. Cor. 12.3 4. I Might instance in many more yea in all the differences betweene vs and the Papists wherein I might as clearely prooue the consent of the Apostles and those Primitiue Christians together with vs and their dissent from the Papists and consequently prooue effâ—ctually our Church to haue beene in that ancient Primitiue Church But these proofes may suffice in stead of many and by these wee may learne what wee are to iudge of the rest referring the tryall of our whole Religion in all and euerie point thereof wherein wee differ from the Papists vnto the touchstone of the doctrine of our Sauiour Christ and his Apostles and to that which in the writings of sacred Scriptures is commended vnto the Churches which indeede is the onely true rule to examine by and to end Controuersies But our Romanists will none of that for they cannot endure their Religion to come vnder this tryall of Gods word neither will it content them that wee make triall thereby See the Fisher caught in his owne Net which was the reason that Fisher in the late conference neither could denie that Christ and his Apostles taught the same faith and doctrine which the Protestants now professe nor would abide the triall by it but fled from that to the practise of ensuing times and more remote Canus loc li. 3. c. 3. p. 151. for Canus a Writer of their owne confesseth That the most points of the Roman faith are not contained in the Scripture Andrad Orth. Exp. lib. 2. And Andradius speaketh plainely That many points of the now Romish faith would reele and totter if they were not supported by the helpe of Tradition Therefore our Masse Priests will not endure the resolution of the now depending controuersies between vs and them should be tried by the authority of the Scriptures Take from them saith Standish their English damnable translations Standish ca. 6. pro. â— and let thâ—m learne to giue as much credit to that which is not expressed as to that which is expressed in the Scripture Brist Mot. vlt. And Bristo teaching his Scholler how to deale with a Protestant biddeth him First get the weake and proud heretick out of his weake and false Castle of onely Scripture into the plaine field of Traditions and then like cowards they shall not be able to stand Alas what small foundation hath that Religion of theirs which is onely supported by Traditions what comfort can there be in that Religion which is afraid to be tried by the Scripture Hitherto I haue shewed the ascent of the Protestants Church from before Luthers dayes euen to the time of our Sauiour Iesus Christ his Apostles and found our Church which the Papists traduce as a Nouice euen in the primitiue Church our Religion which they taxe as a new Religion to be the first Religion Christian I could now deriue it from an higher straine and shew it in a more auncient time before Christ was manifested in the flesh euen in the daies of the Prophets whose agreement with vs and disagreeing from the Papists I might euidently conuince out of their Writings Before them in the time of Moses and vnder the Law Before the Law in the Patriarchs Before them and before the Flood in Noah Enoch Abel and so bring it to the very beginning euen to the time of Adam But this would be a needlesse labour for if we proue as already hath beene proued That our Church hath beene as auncient as the time of Christ and his Apostles the other must needes follow That it is as auncient as Adams time and from the beginning Cantic 6.9 Ephes 4. Because the Church of Christ is but one and there is but one Faith one Lord one Baptisme The Fathers before the Law 1. Cor. 10.3 4. and those who liued vnder the Law though they and we differ in some outward Rites and Ceremonies 1. Cor. 3.11 yet for substance embrace one and the same Religion haue one and the same Truth one and the same Foundation Eph. 4.11 That Church which was founded vpon the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles Iesus Christ himselfe being the head corner stone euer was from the beginning shall euer be to the end of the world Such is ours and such is our Religion Therefore we conclude That our Church and our Religion is no vpstart but the true Church of Christ the ancientest and only Orthodox Religion And now O ye seducing Papists ye Iesuiticall Fry and Seminarie Frogs which are crept vp out of the mouth of the false Prophet and sculk abroad to seduce people what haue you to say for your selues with what face can you impute nouelty to vs Reu. 16.14 15. how dare ye buzze into the eares of your Proselites That our Religion was neuer heard of vntill Luthers dayes peraduenture you take your ayme at this because the name of Protestants came in neere about that time The name indeede arose vpon occasion of a Protestation made by the 14. principall Cities and diuers Princes of Germany at the Dyet of Noremberg appealing from the Pope vnto the Emperour Ioh. Sleid. lib. 3. Hist of the Trent Councel lib. 1. p. 48. and to a generall Councell in which protestation was contained a declaration of their faith and of those grieuances which they had against the Church of Rome for which by their aduersaries they were termed Protestants Now wee although wee are not ashamed of that name yet stand not so much vpon the name glorying in no name so much as in the name of Christians And that such protestations were made such declarations of the
by Pope Eugenius and in the end degraded and burnt at Rome Ex Antonin 3. part fol. 165. Nicholaus Clemangis an Archdeacon De annot non soluend In Italy Laurentius Valla a Roman Patrician Cannon of S. Iohn of Lateran Ex eius tractat contra Eâ—entit Donat constat Petrus de Aliaco Cardinall of Cambray Tract de reform eccles Leonardus Aretinus Ex eius libello in Hypocrit Nicholaus Pycennius an Italian Captaine Ex orat Arclacens in Concil Basil In Germany Antonius Cornelius Lynaichanus Ex orat ad cler Colon. de lubricitat sacerd Martyrs Henricus Grunfielder Henricus Ratgeber Iohannes Draeandorfius Petrus Thoraw Matheus Hager of whom and the doctrine for which they suffered we may reade in Bali cent Martyrol p. 614. In Bohemia Iohn Hus Bachelor of Diuinity maintained 45 Articles in Prague against the Church of Rome in effect the same that we doe for which hee was called to the Councell of Constance where for persisting therein he was condemned and afterwards burnt Concil Constant Choclaus Huss Hierome of Prague Mr of Arts seconded Iohn Hus in defence of the same doctrine and followed him in martyrdome Cocl ibid. 54 Noblemen of Morauia wrote to the Councell of Constance in defence of Iohn Hus and Hierome of Prague whose names together with their Letter are recorded Martyrol p. 587. A great part of the Kingdome of Bohemia forsooke the Pope claue to the doctrine which they had learned from Hus and Hierom. Coch. ibid. Zisca a noble Bohemian with a great multitude of associates wage warre against the Papists and throw Images and Idols out of their Churches Coch. ibid. Before that time there may be seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1350 and 1400. In England ROger VVimbleton whose learned Sermon against diuers points of Popery preached at Pauls Crosse Anno 1389 is extant Martyrolog pag. 503. Iohn VVickliffe publique Reader of Diuinitie in the Vniuersitie of Oxford a famous learned man whose doctrine agreeing with ours may bee seene in his propositions recorded Martyrol pag. 414. This VVickliffe had many fauorites at that time especially Iohn of Gant and Henry Lord Percie the one Duke of Lancaster the other Marshall of England Ibid. The Vniuersitie of Oxford pag. 408 and many in the Parliament Anno 43 of Edward 3 did adhere vnto him Ibid. The Letters of King Richard the third and the Acts of Parliament then declare that this doctrine was dayly preached in Churches and Churchyards at which were present great multitudes of people Anno 5. Rich. 2. c. 5. Martyrs VVilliam Santree Iohn Badâ—ie Persecuted for the same Doctrine Philip Repington Nicholas Hertford William Thorpe Iohn Puruie Iohn Edwards Walter Brute Iohn Ashton Iohn Becket Iohn Seynonds Dauid Cotray William Swinderby diuers others Act. Mon. in vit Rich. 2. In France Gerardus a Deacon Henricus de Iota Henricus de Hassia 140 of those who adhered to the doctrine of the Albigenses were about this time put to death in the Prouince of Narbone Massae hist A great number more about this time were burnt in France for the like cause and were nicknamed Publicans Puritans Paterines Houedom hist Martyrol pag. 387. In Germany Taulerus a preacher of Argentine Iohannes Montzigor Rector of the Vniuersitie of Vime who openly in the schooles impugned the doctrine of Transubstantiation Martyrol p. 386. Conradus Hager Rhider About the yeare of our Lord 1390 thirty six Citizens of Mentz were burnt for the doctrine of the VValdenses and holding the Pope to be Antichrist and relying vpon the Scriptures and not vpon the traditions of the Church of Rome Brus Anal Et Martyrol p. 587. In Italy Nicholas Orem whose Sermon before the Pope and his Cardinals Anno 1546 sauoureth of our doctrine Extat Martyrol p. 382. Iohannes de Ganduno Andreas à Castro Dante 's Florentinus Franciscus Petrarcha Iohannes de rupe Scissa Iohannes de Castellione Iohannes de Poliaco In Bohemia Matthias Parisiensis a Bohemian by birth about the yeare 1370 wrote a booke of Antichrist prouing him already to bee come and that the Pope is the same Martyrol p. 386. Iacobus Milnensis Miletius The Vniuersitie of Prague in defence of VVickliffe ibid. 4â—0 Peter Painâ— a Scholleâ— of VVickliffe came inâ—o Bâ—hemia brought with him VVickliffs bookes which were in quantitie as great as Saint Augustines workes Histor de Hus lib. 1. In Spaine Petrus de Corbaria Franciscus de Areatara Floreleg Before that time there may be seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1300 and 1350. In England ARmachanus sometimes a Student in Oxford afterward Bishop of Armach and Primate of Ireland who before Pope Innocent the 8 his Cardinals disputed nine conclusions against the Friers Wickliffe in Trid. Besides that hee contested against diuers other abuses in the Popish Church Martyrol p. 378 for which he sustained diuers troubles by meanes of the Pope and his Cardinals Martyrol page 375. That there were diuers others about this time of that Religion here in England may appeare out of a book then compiled and entituled The complaint of the Ploughman Extat Martyrol p. 366. In France Philip the French King wrote a Letter of defiance against Boniface the 8. Nichol. Triuet William Nagaretta William Plesiano in the French Kings name solemnly protested against the Pope Martyr p. 314. The Nobles Prelates and Parliament of France censure the abuses of the Papacy ibid. p. 315. 318. 324. Rude Duke of Bourgundy about the yeare 1348 disswadeth the French King from permitting in his Realme the Popes Decrees and Decrerals whose sage counsell then giuen as yet remaineth among the French Kings Records Testatur Carol Molinaus In Germany Gulielmus Ockam about the yeare 1326 wrote in defence of the Emperour Ludouicus against the Pope who wrote also diuers other Books in which he confuteth the vsurped Supremacie of the Pope and entring into mention of the Popes Decrees extrauagant declareth how little regard is to bee giuen thereto Iohn Sleid. lib. 4. Vlricus Hangenor Treasurer to the Empeâ—or Ludâ—uicus publiquely opposed himselfe against the Popes proceedings Martyrol p 358. Gregorius Ariminensis about the yeare of our Lord 1346 maintained the same doctrine of grace and free will which the Protestants at this day doe and dissented from the Papists and Sophisters counting them worse then Pelagians Ex Tritheâ—io Petrus de Bruis who laid the Axe to the root of Popery and in set-Treatises opposed most of his documents Pap. Mess in Bonif. Luitpoldus Andreas Landensis In Italy Marsilius Patauinus in his booke entituled Defensor pacis held these conclusions 1 That the Pope hath none authority ouer other Bishops much lesse ouer the Emperour 2 That the Word of God ought to bee iudge in causes Ecclesiasticall 3 The Clergie and Pope ought to be subiect to Magistrates 4 That Christ is the head of the Church and that hee neuer appointed any Pope to be his general Vicar 5 That the mariage of Priests is
as long as the Apostles liued but when that generation was past the conspiracie of wicked Heresie through the seducing of those who taught other Doctrine tooke beginning Hereof the Apostles gaue warning Act. 20.28 Philip. 3.18 Basil Ep. 70. and the auncient Fathers complayned and that with teares It is our Taske now to prooue that all those faithfull Christians who liued either in the primitiue purest times or afterwards kept themselues orthodoxe vnspotted from then-broached heresies till the heresie of heresies Poperie was set on foote were of the same faith and religion with vs and were of our side for the triall whereof as we haue already looked into the dayes of olde Deut. 32.7 and considered the yeares of many generations which are past and gone so now let vs aske our Fathers and they will shew vs let vs aske our Elders and they will tell vs. And here as the Papists challenge vs to shew where our Church was before Luthers time wee will shew our Church before the time of Pope Boniface the 3. who was the first that tooke vpon him the name of the vniuersall Bishop and at whom and not before the Popish Church as now it is doth take her beginning This Boniface about thâ— yeare of our Lord 507. with much adoe obtained of Phocas the Emperour that he might be made the vniuersall Bishop of the world Otho Frisingen Chron. lib. 5. c. 8. Marian Scot. in ann 608. Vsperg in Phoca The which authority say the Romane Chroniclers his successours haue not onely held fast with their teeth but also wonderfully encreased Before this time or before there was euer any who vsurped any such Ecclesiasticall Supremacie wee haue many that tooke our part as may appeare by this Induction Betweene the yeares 450. and 500. In Rome GRegory the 1. who albeit hee did much decline from the sincerity of his pious predecessours and was a patron of many superstitions yet was an earnest opposite against the papall Supremacie calling it vaine proud profane blasphemous mischieuous Antichristian against the commandements of God and the decrees of Councels lib. 4. Epist 32.34 affirming him to be a follower of Sathan fore-runner of Antichrist who assumeth that title Epist 38.39 24. Bishops and 34. Presbiters in a Councell at Rome Anno Dom. 595. Jn Constantinople Euphemius who was so firme and constant in his Religion that he would not annoint Anastasius Emperour before he had sealed a writing that he would make no innouation in Religion Theod. lib. 2. Jn Alexandria Iohn called Tabenesiota who kept the true faith and was banished by Anastasius because hee would not damne the counsell of Chalcedon Magdeb. cent 6. In Antiochia Gregorius who ministred in Antiochia 25. yeares how he adhaered to our Religion see Euagr. li. 6. c. 18. Betweene the yeares 400. and 450. Jn Rome LEo at the first a Deacon afterwards Bishop of Rome among whose constitutions there is a sharpe decree against the ambition which euen then beganne in that sea Hist Magd. cent 5. c. 10. Jn Constantinople Iohn Chrysostome Bishop of Constantinople who liued in the dayes of Arcadius Honorius In whose writings we may find most part of those points wherein wee differ from the Papists confirmed As for example Attieus another Bishop of Constantinople who next saue one succeeded Chrysostome in that sea was a bitter enemie to superstition for perceauing that diuers of the people of Constantinople sorted to the Sepulchre of Sabbatius to pray to do some worship to your defunct he caused that body in the night season to be raised and to be buried in another place vnknowne to the said superstitious people that so they might leaue off then Idolatrous praying Hist Magd. cent 5. c. 10. Accatius another Bishop of Constantinople succeeded Gennadius and gouerned that sea 17. yeares In his time the Roman Church contended for superiority This Acatius resisted the fame and little regarding the pride of the Romane Bishop excommunicated Foelix and razed his name out of the roll of Bishops Histor Magd. Ibid. Jn Syria Theodoret Bishop of Cyrus a Towne in Syria liued vnder the Emperours Theodosius Vâ—tlentâ—â— aâ— Martian Among other things wherein hee agreeth with vs hee is directly against transubstantiation Theod. dial 1. c. 8. Jn Affrica Augustine B shop of Hippo one of the most learned of all the auncient Fathers his Religion was the same with vs as may appeare in these ensuing articles about 1. The sufficiencie of Scripture lib. 2. de peâ— merâ— c. 36. lib. 2. de â—o 1. Christ 2. The Laities reading the Scripture confes lib. 6. c. 5. 〈◊〉 Psal 33. sess 2. 3. The markes of the Church 〈◊〉 â—â—itat c. 〈◊〉 c. 2. 4. Oâ—â—ginall sinne â—â—â—â—â—rict act 〈◊〉 c. 92. 5. Good works in Psal 102. 6. The Sacraments tract 15. in Ioh. de â—ymboâ— ad catech tract 30. in Ioh. contra Aclamant c. 12. traâ—t 30. in Joh. de ciuit dei lib. 21. c. 25. 7. The authority of Bishops and Councels Ser. 2. epist 162. 8. Inuocation of Saints tract 19. in Iohn contr Faust Manich. lib. 20. See farther S. Augustines agreement with vs in the maine points of faith and doâ—trinâ— in a Treatise lately set foâ—th to this purpose entituled S. Auâ—uâ—â—ines Religion wherein are proued 62. points of our 〈◊〉 his concordance Jn France Eleutherius Bish of Lions Saluianus Bish of Maâ—sell Hilarius first Bishop of Arles afterwards of Vienne opposed himselfe directly against Leo Bishop of Rome and would acknowledge no iurisdiction of that Sea ouer the Churches of France he came to Rome and withstood the Pope to his face Leo ad Gal. Episc epist 77. 89. Vincentius Lirinensis Magd. cent 5. c. 10. Prosper Aquitanicus Magd. cent 5. c. 10. Martinus Turenensis Magd. cent 5. c. 10. Betweene the yeeres 350. and 400. In Jtaly AMbrose Bishop of Millane whose accord with vs in the maine points of our Religion may appeare out of his writings viz. Hierome borne in Stridon a Towne of Dalmatia brought vp in learning at Rome who although hee wanted not his errours and enclined much to diuers superstitions which began about those times yet accorded in many things with vs as may appeare by his writings Jn Antiochia Flauianus against whom Damasus Syricius and Anastasius Bishops of Rome were mighty opposites who misinformed the good Emperour Theodosius against him before whom when Flauianus had appeared he freely and wisely spake to this effect O Emperour if any man blame my faith as peruerse or my life as vnworthy I am content to bee iudged by my very Aduersaries But if the Disputation be onely concerning Principalitie and eminent places I will not contend with any man but denude my selfe of all Superioritie and commit the charge of Antiochia to whom yee like best Theodor lib. 5. c. 23. In Jerusalem Cyrillus who was an enemie to the Pompe of the Clergie and had more regard to feede the Poore and to the Preaching of
Tarracona marryed Bishops Cyprian an African borne in Carthage who although he had his grieuous errors yet was a worthie Builder of the House of God not by woâ—d alone but also by writing Augustine de Baptism contra Donat. lib. 5. cap. 17. In his Writings he agreeth with vs. Narcissus Bishop of Ierusalem a great enemie to Superstition Euseb lib. 9. cap. 6. Asclepiades Bishop of Antiochia of whom Alexander Bishop of Ierusalem being the prisoner of Christ in Caesarea wrote vnto the people in Antiochia That it was a comfort vnto him and it made his Imprisonment the more easie that he heard of the zeale and constancie of Asclepiades Euseb lib. 6. cap. 11. Babilas Bishop of Antiochia vpon whom albeit the Papists would father many of their superstitious deuises yet Eusebius who may bee best credited in this point sheweth his hatred of all Idolatrie and therefore no doubt likewise of such Idolatrous inuentions Euseb lib. 6. cap. 39. Betweene the yeares 200 and 250. TErtullian who albeit hee fell into the Erâ—or of Montanus and hold diuers other Errors yet where he was Orthodoxe stood most with vs Origen of whom the Prouerbe is Vbi bene nemo melius vbi â—ale nemâ—â— prius where hee writeth best is for vs as Polycrares Bishop of Antioch a marryed Bishop together with diuers other Bishops of Asia withstood Victor Bishop of Rome and opposed certaine Constitutions by him vrged about Obseruation of Dayos Meats Drinkes Vestures c. Eusib lib. 5. c. 26. Betweene the yeeres 150. and 200. POlycarpus Bishop of Smyrna who resisted Anicetus Bishop of Rome and withstood diuers Ceremonies then beginning to be set on foot Euseb lib. 5. cap. 26. This Polycarpus also wrote an Epistle to the Philippians wherein hee defendeth the same Doctrine of Iustification by Faith as we doe Iren. lib. 3. cap. 1. Irenaeus Bishop of Lyons in France who though hee was entangled with the error of the Chyliasts yet where he was Orthodoxe ioyned with vs and wrote in the name of his brethren of France vnto Victor Bishop of Rome reproouing him for offering to excommunicate the Churches of Asia who withstood his Traditions Euseb lib. 5. cap. 26. Melito Bishop of Sardis wrote an Apologie for the Christians to Antonius the Emperor Euseb lib. 4. c. 13. His consent together with vs about the Canonicall Scripture and the Apocriphae may be seene in his Epistle to Onesimus Melit Apolog. ad Onesim The Congregations at Lyons and Vienna in France how they accord with vs may be seene by the Epistle set forth in their name Extat Martyrol p. 40. Betweene the yeeres 100. and 150. IGnatius who in the persecution of Traian the Emperour was for the Christian Faith deliuered to wilde Beasts to be deuoured Euseb lib. 3. cap. 35 36. It is written of him That as hee passed through Asia being vnder the most strict custodie of his Garders hee strengthened and confirmed the people euerie where as hee went and admonished them especially and before other things to beware and shun Heresies and vaine Superstitions newly risen vp and that they should cleaue onely to the Writings of the Apostles c. Ex Hierom in Catal. Sanct. Eccl. Iustinus Martyr who wrote two bookes of Apologie for the Christians to the Emperour Antoninus Pius In the which and in his Dialogues hee testifieth the summe and substance of the doctrine and Religion of the Christians in those times wholy answering with ours now if wee compare them together Iustin Dialog cum Tryph. Apol. Quadratus Bishop of Athens Agrippus Castor Hegisippus and others Betweene the yeeres 50. and 100. SAint Iohn the Euangelist who for preaching the Gospell Euseb lib. 3. c. 10. was banished by Domitian into the I le Pathmos about the yeare 97. and after the death of the aforesaid Domitian was released againe vnder Pertinax the Emperour and came to Ephesus anno 100. where hee continued vntill the time of Traian and liued till the yeare after the passion of our Sauiour 99. How our doctrine doth agree with his may be seene if we examine it by his Writings S. Peter Simeon Bishop of Hierusalem Iacobus Iustus S. Paul Onesimus Bishop of Sardis Titus THE CHVRCHES OF Rome Corinth Galatia Philippi Colossos Thessalonica Crete Ephesus Pergamus Thyatyra Sardis Smyrna Philadelphia Laodicea Betweene the first yeere of our Sauiors Incarnation and the 50. after BEsides Iohn the Baptist old Simeon Hanna the daughter of Phanuel c. wee haue the Twelue Apostles SIMON PETER ANDREVV IAMES the sonne of Zebedee IOHN PHILIP BARTHOLOMEVV THOMAS MATTHIAS IAMES the sonne of Alpheus LEBBEVS whose surname was Thaddeus SIMON the Canaanite MATTHIAS chosen in the place of Judas Iscariot IESVS CHRIST HIMSELFE BEING THE HEAD CORNER STONE THat the Apostles taught the same Doctrine which wee embrace and those Churches before-mentioned vnto whom the Apostles wrote did follow the same Religion which wee professe may appeare if we compare our Doctrine and Religion with theirs which in stead of many others wee may behold in this briefe Table beneath specified THE DOCTRINE OF THE Apostles and profession of the Churches vnto whom they wrote Agreeing with vs PROTESTANTS Scripture sufficiencie IOhn 5.39 Iohn 20.31 Act. 17.10 Luk. 16.29 Eph. 2.20 2. Tim. 3.15 16 17. Scripture perspicuitie Matth. 7.7 Rom. 10.6 2. Cor 4.3 Scripture authoritie Iohn 5.34 36 39. Luk. 16.19 1. Ioh. 5.6 Sacraments Their number Math. 28.19 Mark 16.16 Joh. 3.5 Luk. 22.19 Their efficacie Rom. 1.17 1. Pet. 3.21 The fruits and effects of Baptisme Ioh. 5.14 Ephes 4.23 The Sacrament of the Lords Supper Artic. 31. 1. Cor. 10.11 1. Cor. 11.10 1. Cor. 10.16.17 Spirituall eating and drinking in the Sacrament 1. Cor. 10.3 1. Pet. 1.29 Communicating in both kinds Math. 26.26 Mark 14.22 1. Cor. 10.16 The true manner of Gods worship Tit. 1.5 Hebr. 13.7 1. Pet. 1.23 The danger of all sinne Rom. 4.15 1. Ioh. 3.4 Prayer To God alone Rom. 8.27 1. Cor. 1.16 Heb. 10.19 in a known tong 1. Cor. 14.15 The Church Jt is a congregation of the faithfull onely c. Ioh. 10.16 15.14 Eph. 5.23 True markes of the Church Act. 2.4 Eph. 2.10 Act. 5.8 Christ alone the head of the Church Eph. 1.22 4.16 Act. 4.11 1. Cor. 1.11 Ecclesiasticall discipline 1. Cor. 5.7 2. Thes 3.14 Tit. 3.10 Sanctification Jn true holines and newnesse of life Rom. 16.4 Luk. 1.75 Eph. 1.4 Philip. 1.12 Coloss 1.22 Faith An assured confidence Mark 5.7 2. Tim. 2.8 vpon knowledge Heb. 11.1 2. Cor. 13.5 only in the elect Ioh. 6.35 Repentance The gift of God Genes 8.21 Rom. 8.7 Necessarie Iam. 1.7 1. Tim. 2.21 Confession to God Math. 3.6 Good workes Must spring from Faith Rom. 8.8 Galat. 5.6 Tit. 1.15 Heb. 11.6 Are our dutie Matth 7.17 2. Pet. 1.10 Subiection to Powers Rom. 13.1 2 3. Tit. 3.1 1. Pet. 2.13 Disagreeing from the PAPISTS Traditions IOhn 4.22 23. 1. Timoth 4.1 2. Timoth. 3.1 Reuelat. 22.18 19. Slander of obscuritie
of our Religion haue beene neyther so frequent nor so publike as now it is eyther in place or persons was the persecution of Poperie and the generall corruption of the Papacie which as a Leprosie infected and as a Myst obscured the Times so that sometimes not the true beleeuers themselues such I meane as are come to our knowledge were void of error in euery point though they firmely held the foundation And if it pleased God in processe of time to giue more libertie to the persons and more puritie to the Doctrine why are wee vnthankfull and why should any enuie if the Truth hath growne more ripe in our Age And if there be any yet among vs I would to God there were not too many such who stand as Newters and lookers on not regarding any Religion nor caring to ioyne themselues to either side vntill they see the sequell and issue whether the Protestant or Popish Church is likeliest to be most praeualent To such I say as Elias said to the people of Israel How long halt yee betweene two opinions 1. King 18.21 If the Lord be God follow him But if Baall then follow him Let them consider and call to minde whither of the two Religions sauour more of grace and of the spirit of God whether doth attribute most to God whether hath beene most fauoured by God Let them consider the damnable positions the horrible combustions and hellish proiects of Poperie and the sauing counsels peaceable prosperity and heauenly blessings which haue accompanied ours let them as the Apostle counselleth proue all things 1. Thess 5.21 and hold fast what is good If they doubt whether of them carrieth greatest shew of either veritie or Antiquitie I say vnto them as it was said to St. Augustine at the time of his conuersion Tolle lege Take vp this booke and reade or rather as the Lord speaketh by his Prophet Ieremie stand in the waies and see Ierem. 6.16 Aske for the old paths where is the good way and walke therein and yee shall finde rest for your soules Lastly to the true members and vnseduced Protestants of our Church I say with the Apostle to the Corinthians Brethren you see your calling 1 Cor. 1 26.27â—â— albeit not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and weake things to confound the mightie c. yet some noble some learned some Worthies haue embraced the same Religion together with vs and that in all ages and times of the world What would wee haue what can wee desire more we haue Verity and Antiquitie for vs we haue the Patriarkes the Prophets and Apostles on our side we haue the company of innumerable Martyres who haue sealed the Truth thereof with their blood we haue the fellowship of many Churches in diuers Nations Being therefore Compassed about with so great a cloude of Witnesses Heb. 12.1 let vs follow the footsteps of those who haue walked before vs in this way of righteousnesse and runne with patience the race that is set before vs. What though Papists raue and rage and plot and seeke by all meanes to bring our Religion into disgrace yea If it were possible to cut of the name of Israel Psal 83.4 that it might be no more in remembrance Psal 81.12 Yet these aduersaries of the Lord shall be found lyers but the true Church of God shall endure for euer Consider what great things God hath done for vs and how mightily alwaies he hath defended and approued our Religion how miraculously did he preserue it manger all the furie of the Lyon and the wilde Boare of the Deuill and Antichrist euen in the time of their greatest persecutions how wonderfully hath he from time to time detected and defeated all plots and proiects conspiracies and trecheries of the enemies what strange deliuerances hath he giuen vnto vs By this wee may know that God fauoureth vs because our enemies preuaile not against vs. Psal 41.11 Psal 46.11 The God of Iacob is with vs the God of Hoasts is our refuge he hath giuen vnto vs a Dauid a man after his owne heart to rule ouer vs a Iehosophat whose heart is set to seeke the Lord a Iosias whose chiefest studie is to build vp Gods house and whose chiefest Title is to be the Defender of the Faith he hath taken away our feares by the happie returne of our most hopefull Prince redoubled our ioyes in his forward zeale for the furthering of true Religion he hath blessed vs with an Honourable assemblie of States in the high Court of Parliament and vnited their hearts and mindes to seâ—ke the promotion of his glory and the publike welfare of the Common-weale he hath stirred vp the hearts of all faithfull Subiects within this Iland to pray and cry Grace Zech. 4.7 Grace to that Parliamentarie assembly What now remaineth but that as the Apostle counselleth Wee stand fast in that libertie wherewith Christ hath made vs free Gal. 5.1 and as our Sauiour doth admonish vs that wee be faithfull to the death Reuel 2.10 constantly professing and religiously perseuering in that Religion which we haue learned out of the Scriptures and which hath beene practised so long agone in all Ages by so many Patriarkes Prophets Apostles Bishops Confessors and holy Martyrs That so wee may glorifie God and stop the mouth of the aduersarie and both by life and doctrine confound Poperie till that misterie of Iniquitie bee fully reuealed whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and destroy with the brightnesse of his comming which we beseech the Lord to hasten Euen so Come Lord Iesus come quickly Amen FJNIS