should not lift it selfe vp aboue Christ Aug. con Crosc cap. 2. because hee iudged alwaies truely and rightfully but Ecclesiasticall Iudges often faile and fall into error Amb. lib 2. de Offi. cap. 18. Saint Ambrose saith that religion and divine service requires neither gold nor silver and also that by gold we haue not the fruition of those things which cannot be bought for gold Spirdion saith that hee did freely eate flesh vpon such dayes as others did abstaine from it because he was a Christian Aug. super meno reap 17. Epiphanius Austine writeth that Monkes shuld not liue on other mens goods although they were continually occupied in speculations or contemplations in praying studying Epiphanius saith that it is a shamefull and vile thing to see in the Churches of Christians any Images painted or resemblance of Christ or any other he or shee Saint Now then forsomuch as the Church of Rome it selfe transgresseth and passeth ouer such and like sentences and maximes of the ancient fathers and doctors I pray you with what right say the Reformed can it prescribe to others to obserue fullie and wholie that which it selfe leaues vndone and vnregarded And since that neither Popes nor Councells nor fathers can in any sort decide this controuersie and difference in religion That traditions cannot be Iudges in religion to whose Iudgment then must wee referre and yeelde our selues Must we relie vpon Traditions By Traditions must be necessarilie vnderstood either Ritus the rites the ordinarie vsages or Customes of the Church Euseb lib. 3. hist cap. 4. lib. 5 cap. 8. Irenaeus lib. 3. cap. 14. lib. 1. cap. 13.12 Tertull in praescript ad haeres or else Christian doctrine it selfe Concerning vsages or customes Ecclesiasticall how ancient soeuer they may be notwithstanding so far forth as they are either hurtfull or improfitable or repugnant to the word of God or haue beene heretofore abrogated or disanulled they should by no meanes bee tolerated much lesse entertained or obserued in the Christian Church For the Lord expresly forbiddeth to serue or honour him with a doctrine forged or deuised out of mans braine or fancie Tertull in prae fat heres And concerning Traditions which concerne doctrine they must necessarily containe either the written word of God or the words and expositions of the faith against Heretikes which by consequence are drawne and fetched from the foundation of the holy Scripture or else Traditions of doctrine comprehend and containe things either added or diminished and taken away from the written word of God be it apparently done or couertly When by Traditions the written word of God is vnderstood or the Creede and Orthodoxe expositions of Christian faith who would not most readily and willingly embrace allow such Traditions But if by traditions be meant things inuented and deuised beside and against the word God who would not set light by and reiect them that is desirous to keepe a good and sound conscience before God Moreouer what vertue and authoritie Traditions can haue to suppresse or appease the debate and differences about Religion auncient Histories doe sufficiently certifie Aug. ad Lasulam Epist 8. For whereas in times past a great contention did arise in the Church about the feast of Easter and that such a stirre and contention that almost all the world was there with disquieted Both betooke themselues for their refuge to the Traditions which are called Apostolicall which are neither written nor contained in any certaine booke and whereas either partie maintained that they obserued the feast of Easter at the same verie time which was ordained and set downe by the Apostles at length the matter came to this point Irenaeus Epist vit Epist Rom. Aug lib de vera religo that in such the like indifferent things the Christian Churches should be left to their libertie So that by this example it manifestly appeareth how weake humane traditions are to remoue and determine differences in religion Shall they then be miracles which must giue vs to vnderstand who follow the better partie That miracles cannot be true workes of religion and which is the true Catholike Church It is impossible say the Reformed because the end or purpose and gift it selfe of miracles now ceaseth For in these dayes no new Gospell or strange doctrine is Preached in the Christian Church which hath neede to be confirmed by miracles but the same doctrine is taught which our Lord Iesus Christ and his Apostles haue long since sufficiently confirmed and seated by their miracles Moreouer we doe not reade that all such as haue heretofore reformed Religion and diuine seruice haue done miracles In which ranke and number wee may reckon and place Iohn Baptist vnder the new Testament and vnder the old testament Asaph Ethan Iedithem Iliman Core 1 Chron. 22.30 Ierom. 10.35 8.16 and certaine Prophets And if the gift of doing miracles be not referred to the onely and wise gouernement and guiding of God miracles cannot confirme any doctrine It being verie certaine that euen the miracles of Iesus Christ as excellent and full of efficacie as they were Luk. 11.19 did not helpe forward the obstinate Iewes towards Christian faith and true pietie Ioh. 12.26 2 Thes 2. Deut. 13. Finally how say the Reformed shuld miracles in themselues and of themselues be necessarie markes or tokens of true religion seeing it is most euident that Antichrist himselfe and the false Prophets haue shewed and done many signes and miracles and so may doe in time to come Wherefore the Reformed affirme that all such as at these dayes require miracles should be themselues esteemed maruilous men and strange monsters seeing that they relie so much vpon miracles after that the gift of them haue long agoe ceased Howbeit for all that we cannot but account it a kind of miracle that true Religion Christian doctrine should be Preached and aduanced or set vp without miracles among such resistances and furious endeuours of Antichrist That the personall succession of Popes Bishops cannot be Iudges of true Religion Shall it be then the continuall succession of the Bishop of Rome that must distinguish the true Religion from the false No man surely can denie but that there is a succession of true doctrine and a succession personall of persons only and therefore the Reformed maintaine that when succession of persons is accompanied with the succession of true doctrine Prophetical and Apostolicall that then without all doubt such a succession is of great efficacie And in this sense and meaning it is that heretofore all the Orthodoxe doctors of the Christian Church opposed their successions against heretikes For he that maketh profession of a doctrine those are the words of Nazianzen is also pertaker of the the same Throne Chaire or State but he that embraceth contrary doctrines such an one shall not be accounted as a true successor And this second hath the name
man that hee may also dispose and dispence contrarie to the foure generall Councels and against the words of the Gospell 25. Of the certainty of faith Mar. 9. Rom. 8. Aug. pag. 4. tit 6. cap 2.7 The Reformed Church beleeveth that the faithfull should not doubt at all of their salvation The Romane Church teacheth that we must alwayes doubt thereof 26. Of Antichrist 1 Ioh. 2. Mat. 24. Dan. 12. Apoc. 17. 1 Thes 2. The Reformed Church beleeveth that Antichrist is already come and that hee is Antichrist that denyeth Christ Iesus to bee come in the flesh that is to say who maintaineth false doctrine touching the nature and office of Iesus Christ The throne or seat of which Antichrist is erected in the Citie standing vpon seaven hills The Church of Rome expects yet the Antichrist from Babylon of the Tribe of Dan Comp. Thes l. 7. cap. 8. 14. who shall beare rule three yeeres and at the last shall be slaine vpon the mount of Oliues The Reformed Christians beleeue 27. Of Purgatory Io. 5. Apoc. 19. Cat. Rom. pag. 127. Com. Theolo l. 7. cap. 3. Ingust propo that presently after the death of their bodies their soules shall be carried vp to heaven into life eternall They of the Romane Church say that there is a Purgatorie yea that there are fiue places for the soules of the deceased 1. The hell of the damned 2. The place of children which haue not beene baptized 3. Purgatory 4. Limbus or the suburbs of hell where the Patriarchs are 5. Heaven Eight reasons why the Popes cannot be competent Iudges of Religion BEhold in briefe the differing doctrine and controversie betweene these two parties The Church of Rome referreth it selfe to Popes to Councels to Fathers to their Church and to Traditions affirming that they ought to bee Iudges and pronounce sentence and definitiue resolution in all these controversies The Reformed refuse all these Iudges before-named adding there-withall their reasons wherefore they reiect them I earnestly then entreat thee friendly Reader as thou holdest deare and pretious thine owne salvation yea so farre forth as in this debate and variance of these contending inheritors thou desirest to ioyne with the better party that thou wilt indifferently and patiently hearken to them both Now then concerning the first Iudges pretended by them of the Romane Church that is to say the Popes of Rome The Reformed defendants or accused say that they cannot acknowledge nor admit them for competent Iudges in this cause for diuerse very pregnant reasons For first they shew that the Popes of Rome long time since haue not onely beene accused but also convinced of eight horrible crimes and impieties and that by the most part of Chistendome that is to say England Scotland France Hungarie the greater part of Germany Switzerland Denmarke and Sweden yea likewise of the Churches and Nations which haue made or now make profession of Christian religion in Africke in Egypt in Syria in Greece and in other quarters The crimes and impieties of the Popes are 1. Impiety or Atheisme 2. Tyranny 3. Corruption of religion 4. Sacriledge 5. Treason 6. Perfidiousnesse 7. Antichristianisme 8. Together with ten publike disgraces and infamies The Reformed Christians affirme that they can proue and shew the prophane impiety of the Popes by these three arguments and reasons Irreligion the first cause of refusall diuided into three reasons First in that they attribute vnto thēselues a Deitie The First reason Dist 96. cap. Satis c. quoniam deminb Dist 39. dist 40 cap. 5. papam plu de consell 37 no 3. vel 7. Iusen Conse 145 no 2. vel Bas l. vel Son fol. cap. Egono de Iure For there owne ptinted bookes maintaine that they are Gods that they are not subiect to any person in the world that they are the spouse of the Church that they may tolerate dispose and dispence directly against the Apostolicall Canons or rules beyond and aboue al lawes and priuiledges Briefly that they must not be questioned by any person whether they are this or that although they should dayly condemne an infinite number of soules into hell Secondly the Reformed shew the impietie or prophanes of the Popes The second reason because they themselues haue often scoffed at their owne religion and deuine seruice For Gregorie the seuenth induced or drew on a certaine man so farre by promise of a great somme of mony that hee vndertooke to kill the Emperour Henry the third with a beame which hee would cause to fall vpon his head Benon Cardin. when he should be in the Church offering vp his praiers withall deuotion but as the murtherer made hast to execute his murder the peece breaking which vpheld the sayd beame vpon which hee did sit the murderous fellow and the beame fell downe from on hie both together The same Pope Hildebrand consulting with diuels against the Emperour Stella Venitus lib. ad cardin 5. maro Raphael voluter made no difficultie to cast the body of the Sacrament of Christ into the fire euen against the will and liking of the Cardinalles which act the Bishop of Parma hath diuulged and discouered Siluester the second obtained that authoritie papall by diuelish practises vpon condition that after his death he should be abandoned and left to the Diuels Sixtus the fourth caused Bandin Iulian to bee murdered in the Church by certaine Ruffins hired for that purpose to whom he gaue the certaine signe and token by the host of the Masse For that the Popes esteeme not verie much their Eucharist or Host it appeareth euidently as the reformed say because that ordinarily they intrust or commit it to an horse-keeper which carries the same before on horse-backe among the Scullions of the kitchin as being the Auaunt and courier of the Popes comming The third reason Thirdly the Reformed maintaine that they can also prooue the prophanesse or impietie of the Popes because they haue instituted more then sixtie fiue Ecclesiasticall orders euerie of those orders hauing a diuers fashion of attiring and of ornaments and vesment according to the diuers and sundrie customes or fashions rules orders of their Couent And among all these orders the number of the Cordeliers or Friers minors Sabellicij Enuead 29. l. 6. of some is estimated in Europe only at more then fiue hundered thousand which may easily be gathered by that which the generall of the order of Saint Francis hath often promised and offered to the Pope that is to deliuer vnto him about the number of thirtie thousand Monkes which without any hinderance of diuine seruice might all be imployed in the warrs So it is that amongst all other orders the Cordeliers and Iacobines are held much to excell all the rest And the Cordeliers besides all other fables which one may reade in the booke of the Conformities of Saint Frances are not ashamed to call vpon their patron in these latine verses Francisse Iesu
attribute and giue this honour and reuerence firmely to beleeue that none of their authors haue tripped or erred in their writings But concerning other writers and authors we reade them in such manner that although they haue beene verie holy and Godly and of much knowledge yet so it is that wee hold not what they haue written for true only because they taught this or that but because they haue beene able to perswade and to make vs vnderstand it so to be either by those Canonicall writings or by some other reasons which in substance agree with the truth and word of God So that wee owe this onely to the Canonicall Bookes as Saint Austine saith elswhere that is to submit our selues to them without any contradiction Lib. de na gra cap. 6. Con. Faust lib. cap. 5. ad Oros cap. 11. ad Pan. ad Fortu. lib. 2. Con. Moreouer it may be lawfull to refuse any other writtings and to varie from them in opinion but all persons must yeeld consent to the Canonicall writings be he Laicke be he Priest be he King be he Emperour let him giue heede and attention to the holy Scripture for in the whole world nothing can be found so holy and so necessarie as the holy Scripture Crescon gram cap. 32. Ad Vnam Don Epst 4.8 What I pray you can be found or met with all more cleare and euident then all those excellent testimonies and sentences of Saint Austine And in truth say the Reformed if we could once come to this point that God himselfe might be acknowledged to be Iudge of all differences in Religion and that by his voice which clearely soundeth and vttereth it selfe in the writings of the Prophets and Apostles we would not refuse likewise to accept and allow the Councells Fathers and Miracles and such like for deposed witnesses in this cause or action Prouided alwaies that first of all distinction be discreetly and considerately made between the true Church which is the assembly of Iesus Christ and the Sinagogue and assembly of Sathan betweene the auncient fathers and Orthodoxe doctors worthy of creedit and Heretikes betweene the lawfull Councels and Synods and Tirannicall Councels Sinods betweene the true writings of Orthodoxe men and bastard bookes or suborned writings betweene true miracles and and counterfeit ones betweene rightfull succession of true Doctrine and the disguised succession of persons betweene true consent and holy Vnion and peruerse and obstinate complotting and agreement in opinion Briefly betweene the true Traditions of the Apostles and the false glosses or expositions of men Herevnto replie they of the Romish Church and demand how all this can be effected by the written word of God seeing that in like manner all Heretikes defend arme or strengthen themselues with this written word of God The Reformed answere How the Scripture may be iudge albeit all Heritekes abuse it that Heretikes cannot more conueniently and fitly be confuted and conuinced which abuse this holy Scripture then by the same written word of God the which only and alone can suppresse and determine all controuersies in religion Ad Cresum lib. 2. cap. 31. for as Saint Austine verie well saith we must by no meanes Iudge or controule the bookes of the Prophets and Apostles but we ought rather according to those bookes to Iudge of all other bookes of Religious professors or of Infidels Euen so we see that our Sauiour Iesus Christ confuted and confounded by the holy Scripture Mat. 12. 4. the Scribes Pharises and Sadduces yea Sathan himselfe all which abused the Scriptures So likewise Saint Stephen conuinced the Iewes and Philip conuerted the Eunuch of Queene Candace by the holy Scriptures Act. 6.7 In like manner did the Apostles confirme the doctrine of the Gospell by the writings of the Prophets And the Iewes of Beraea compared the Preaching and doctrine of the Apostle S. Paul with the doctrine of the Prophets by this meanes trying whether it agreed with the writings of the Prophets In summe after the same manner the Councell of Nice condemned the Heretike Arrius that of Constantinople the Heretike Macedonius that of Ephesus Nestorius that of Chalcedon Eutiches that is to say by the onely word of God Even as Saint Augustine also convinced the Heretique Pelagius Aug. de con sen Epist 163. lib 3. Con ca. 6. Sozom. l. 1. c. 3. and Tertullian the Heretique Drapeas Briefly all the other faithfull Doctors haue so resisted that is by the holy Scripture all Heretiques These are the very words of Saint Austen lib 2 cap 32. contr Cresc Wherefore as Saint Augustine very well saith Let no man in disputations presumptuously obiect or oppose against vs the writings of the ancient Fathers or Councels for we hold them not in themselues Canonicall but doe examine them by the Canonicall writings and whatsoever agreeth with the authority and excellency of the holy Scripture wee accept of with commendation but that which accordeth not therewith wee reiect it with their leaue and consent That the Scripture is neither hard nor obscure If they of the Romane Church reply that the holy Scripture is obscure and hard to be vnderstood Saint Augustine answereth them that wee more certainely wade or passe through the holy Scripture then through Traditions For when we will diligently search into it being darkened with some obscure words nothing wil ensue that can breed any difficulty or if there doe arise any difference or doubtfulnesse it must be at length cleared and decided by sundry more plaine testimonies of the same Scripture And indeed as the same ancient Father saith the holy Ghost hath so tempered and composed the Scripture that whatsoever seemeth obscure in one passage is more cleerly expounded in some other Wherefore the Reformed conclude for all the reasons afore-saide that this is the only meanes powerfull to satisfie and appease those two pretending or contending parties that is to say if endeavour be vsed to suppresse and decide by the pure Word of God the controversies aboue mentioned adiudging that alone to bee the true religion and Catholike Church which agreeth fully and wholy with the Word of God rightly expounded and vnderstood according to the same Word of God and the Analogie of the Articles of the Christian Faith The exception of the Church of Rome They of the Romane Church pondering these reasons of the Reformed Christians doe protest that albeit indeed they well perceiue the religion of the Reformed not much to decline from the written Word of God and if it wholly accord with the the same that yet they would not hold and pronounce the same Reformed religion to be good because say they the sayd Reformed religion was first set on foot and published by Heretikes and Doctors that were not sent by God nor had a lawfull calling and who were innovators and new devisors in religion The answer of the Reformed The Reformed Christians doe earnestly entreat
was so subdued and opposed by falshood that she could in a manner no where shew or manifest her selfe All this notwithstanding hence it followes not That the Church of Iesus Christ was never wanting that the Church either hath been at sometime abolished or extinguished and quite smoothered or that the Reformed doe contend and striue against the true Church For the Church of Christ hath ever subsisted beene and continued and shall endure so long time as the Lord Iesus Christ shall raigne vnder the sure protection and safegard of whom it is secured and defended howbeit notwithstanding the outward forme is not alwayes alike visible and apparent So that the Reformed maintaine that they impugne or go not against the true Church in any sort but together with the same they call vpon adore with perfect vnion one selfesame God belieue in one alone Iesus Christ who hath bin in all times called vpon worshipped by all the faithfull children of God But the Reformed Christians protest on the other side that they are separated from that Synagogue or Assembly which hath not retained or preserued true faith and religion but aduanced humane traditions aboue divine Oracles which would lay vpon mens consciences burdens insupportable which hath attempted imperiously to beare sway ouer their faith forbidden and hindered the pure preaching of the Word of God and the due and rightfull administration of the Sacraments which is accustomed yeerely to excommunicate them together with all the Christian Churches of Africke Egypt Syria Asia and Greece which persecuteth religious people and such as feare God which will not admit or allow of any reformation which corrupteth and blemisheth things necessary in the Christian Church which hath made necessary things indifferent and corrupted Lawes which hath tyed the Catholique or vniversall Church to one City Orbem in Vrbe briefly which is stained and defiled with all kinde of sinnes and iniquities By reason whereof the Reformed againe protest that they haue beene inforced to forsake this Assembly to obey the commandement of God and that they ought not to pollute nor charge their consciences with the false Romish doctrine lest they be made partakers of the iust and fearfull punishments of God which may befall the same They of the Romane Church for a finall conclusion demande hereupon Where the true Church hath beene so long hidden where the Church hath beene so long hidden For if the Church of Rome say they hath not beene the true Catholique Church must wee not necessarily condemne all those which hitherto haue lived vnder the Popedome The Reformed make answere that there haue been found in all times Christians as well in the Eastern Christian Churches as also in the Westerne vnder the Popes iurisdiction which Christians haue reiected those Popish abuses and corruptions and which is more hath sometimes encountred them both with liuely voyce and word of mouth In Regist lib. 4. cap. 82. Ad Iohan. Ep. Constan Epist 35. ad Maurit Impera Greg. Mag. and by their bookes and writings for not to speake of the ancient Fathers and of the Primitiue Church which the Reformed declare to haue beene wholly of one accord and consent with them in all the Articles of the true Faith and Christian Religion they can also plainely shew that there haue beene many in these last ages which haue consented to the reformation of Religion For albeit that Gregorie the Great maintained some errours yet heerein hee held a good and sound opinion that hee is Antichrist who suffereth himselfe to bee called soveraigne or vniversall Bishop Everardus Salisburg Everard Bishop of Salisberch proved in an eloquent Oration which hee made at the Councell of Regensberch that the Popes were Antichrists and that Pope Hildebrand layde the foundation of this domination or soveraignty of Antichrist Ioachim Calaber Francis Petr. more then 800. yeares agoe Ioachim Calaber at the same time did often call the Popes Antichrist Francis Petrarch in his writings especially in his twentith Epistle hath very sharply enveighed against the Popes Arnulphus Arnulph Bishop of Orleance openly at the Coūcell of Rhemes called the Popes Antichrist Bernardus Saint Bernard in the yeere M. did challenge encounter the Popes as servants of Antichrist At the same time Michael Centenas affirmed the Popes to be Antichrist Ierome Sauanorola borne in Ferrara Hieronymus Sauanorola preached throughout all Italy that the Popes were Antichrists also that their doctrine were prophane for which he was burned at Florence by the commandement of Pope Alexander the sixt Thomas Reiden did absolutely contemne and reiect the Popedome Thomas Reiden and was therefore also burned vnder Pope Eugenius the fourth Laurentius Valla about an hundred yeeres past Laurentius Val. called Rome Babylon and the Pope Antichrist hee further said that the donation of Constantine was forged by the Popes themselues in such sort that hee opposed himselfe earnestly against the Popes by reason whereof being exciled he was very honourably receiued by the King of Naples Iohn Wickliffe did stoutly and worthily impugne and resist the Popedome in England Iohann Wickilf who was shortly after seconded by Iohn Hus Iohannes Hus. Hieron Prague and Ierome of Prague both which were imprisoned at the Councell of Constance and there were also burned for the profession of true religion So that finally an hundred yeeres after followed Martin Luther who more plainely expounded and layd open the true religion and openly encountred with the Popedome Now the principall Potentates of Christendome haue endeavoured in diverse sorts and manners to hinder and restraine the great multitude of them that haue imbraced or followed this doctrine Diuers examinations of Luthers doctrine For the Emperour Maximilian at Ausbureg in the yeere 1518. and Charles the fifth and Ferdinand with divers other Kings and Princes first of all the yeere 1520. at Wormes next the yeere 1523. at Noremberch afterwards the yeere 1529. at Spires after that the yeere 1530. at Auspurge againe and finally the yeere 1532. at Regensburge and the yeere 1540. at Hagenau All these Potentates aforesayd say the Reformed at these sundry times haue in part thēselues heard the remonstrance declaration of Luther made with his owne mouth in part caused his doctrine to bee examined by their owne Doctors But afterwards when they perceived that by all their banishment imprisonments and by all the fire and gibbets they could bring nothing to passe They were at length constrained to follow the counsell of Gamaliel The counsell of Gamaliel Act 5. who advised the Iewes to permit the Apostles to preach For if their worke were of men it would quickly come to naught but if it were of Goa they could not ouerthrow it Let every man then in like manner conclude or resolue of the religion of the Reformed Church In the meane while yee Kings Princes and all yee Inhabitants of the earth who desire to obtaine eternall salvation bee wise and well advised Serue the Lord with feare and reioyce in him with trembling Kisse the Sonne lest hee be angry and yee perish from the way When his wrath is kindled but a little blessed are all they that put their trust in him FINIS
the heuenly inheritance to the title of the true Church the which each partie maintaineth to appertaine vnto them The Accuser or Plaintife in this sute is the Pope together with all them that partake with him or depend vpon the sea of Rome The defendants or accused are all they that will not acknowledge nor admitt of the Pope but make publike profession of being of the reformed religion Both the one and the other parties alledge their reasons their placards and Charters their letters Patents and writings sealed and produce also witnesses deposed But both parties are much perplexed and troubled about chusing of a Iudge For each of them striueth to propound such a Iudge as thou beleeuest will be most fauourable and inclining to their side The Church of Rome referres it selfe to the sentence and iudgement of the Pope of Traditions of Councels of auncient Fathers and of miracles affirming moreouer that shee will not altogether exclude the word of God from this Iudgement or decision Contrarie-wise they of the reformed religion reiect and refuse the Iudges aboue-named saying that in this case or plea the Pope of Rome cannot be at the same time both Iudge and partie considering also that hee himselfe is accused of diuers impieties They reiect Traditions as suspected Iudges and reproueable Touching Councels the Fathers and miracles they doe not acknowledge them for Iudges but rather for Antentike witnesses whose testimonies they are ready to accept so that they agree with the tenor or publike writings of the Testament The Church of Rome accuseth them of the reformed to be reuolted or fallen away from the true Church that they haue forged or deuised new deuine seruices That they haue not mooued this debate against them but within these few yeres and therefore they affirme that the kingdome of heauen and the title of the true Church belongeth according to all right and reason vnto them and not in any sort vnto the reformed These reply that they are not declined nor seperated from the true Church but rather from the Sinagogue or Assembly of the vngodly that they haue not inuented a new doctrine nor new Traditions but that they walke in the same way of Saluation in which all the faithfull from the beginning of the world haue beene saued That indeede in times past they haue beene oppressed by their tiranie as Abell once was by his brother Caine Isacke by Ismaell and Iacob by Esau so that they were forced to hide themselues but that now like the moone they haue againe recouered their light attributing to themselues the names of first borne or Eldership So that there is concourse from all parts to these children and inheritours which are at such odds and debate and great trouble and confusion is raysed From words they passe to blowes to murders yea to ciuill warres and shedding of bloud to burning and hanging and in breefe to all kinds of inhumane punishments and executions Sometimes the one another while the other partie seemes to haue the vpper hand And the more they of the reformed religion are oppressed persecuted burned the more they boast of their aduancement victorie triumph In the meane time they protest that men should not in this case proceede by force and violence but according to right and reason And herein they doe appeale to God himselfe not acknowledging any other head or Soueraigne Iudge to the end that the Testatour himselfe may determine this controuersie by his last will which is contained in his holy word And to the end that this may bee the more commodiously effected they appeale also to an vniuersall Counsell wherein it may be freely permitted to reade and examine the codicells or scheduls and the sealed writings of the Testament and by them to vnderstand the last will of the heauenly Testatour The Church of Rome on the contrarie part protesteth that shee hath often caused generall Councels to bee assembled in which the words of the testament haue beene sufficiently examined and that by them it is found and appeareth that the name and title of the Church appertaineth to none but to her onely They of the reformed Church on the other side denie the sayd Councels to haue beene vniuersall or free for as much as the Popes haue not suffered them there to render or make a free confession of their faith neither giuen them hearing of there defences but contrarie to all right haue beene both accusers and Iudges hauing sentenced and condemned the cause of there brethren without hauing heard there Allegations Wherevpon they oft since protest that they haue in noe sort lost their sute and right but that they will continue remaine lawfull heires of the inheritance which was bequethed vnto them by their heauenly father so long as they shal obserue the conditions conteined in the Autentique writings of the Testament In the meane while the reformed say that they are prepared and determined to expect and tarrie for the iust Soueraigne Iudge Iesus Christ who will at length come to Iudge both the quicke and the dead and will make an end of these long controuersies in religion in such sort as that he will grant and assigne to them that shall haue right eternall life but will cast out them that are in the wronge to eternall condemnation The two parties haue not proceeded any farther in this their action or demand Now then the question is to which of these two parties the possession of eternall life and the title of the true Church ought to be adiudged True it is that this decision and iudgment appertaineth to Iesus Christ aboue the which also he will pronounce without farther appeale at the iudgement and Session which hee hath decreed and notified to the whole world more then sixteene hundred yeeres since and without faile will come and be within short time Be well advised and carefull in the meane time O yee Kings and Princes and all the Inhabitants of the earth to ioyne your selues with the better party lest that now leaving this difference vndecided Iesus Christ the soveraigne Iudge should condemne you at his last comming in iudgement And to the end you may pronounce iust sentence in this controversie in Religion shew your selues vpright Iudges and not partiall without condemning either of the parties before you haue heard them But if you haue hearkened with one eare as is meet to the plea and doctrine of the Church of Rome I desire you to lend the other also to the plea and doctrine of the reformed Church imitating herein Alexander the Great who was wont to heare the voyce of the accuser with his right eare in the meane while stopping his left one which hee reserved to hearken withall to him that was accused I will propound then and produce in the first place the doctrine and opinion of both parties and that out of the books and writings of each of them bona fide I will neither adde nor diminish any thing at all