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
lawfull 6 That S. Peter was neuer at Rome 7 That the Clergie of Rome is a den of theeues 8 That the Popes doctrine leadeth to eternall damnation Defens pac Aligerius Andreas de Castro Iohannes Rochetaylada Henrici de Erford nameth him Haybalus preached openly that the Church of Rome was the whore of Babylon and the Pope with his Cardinals to bee the very Antichrist And being for the same brought before the Popes face constantly did perseuere in the same saying that hee was commanded by God to publish the same Froysard Volum 1. chap. 211. Martyrol pag. 360. Before that time there may bee seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1250 1300. In England PEter the sonne of Cassiodore wrote a zealous Epistle to the Church of England dehorting it from the tyranny of the Church of Rome Ex vetust Chron. Alban extat Martyrol 323. The Popes inhibition was despised in England Anno Domini 1294. Diuers also about this time were accused here in England for adhering to the opinion of the Waldenses Turris Lond. in record reconcil inter regem Baron In Germany Gulielmus Altissiodoreusis an ancient Schoolman in whose summes many points of popish doctrine are strongly opposed and confuted Naucler vol. 2. Gen. 45. Iohannes Semeca Prouost of Halberstat was about this time excommunicated and depriued of his office for resisting Pope Clement the fourth gathering certain exactions in Germanie who therefore appealed from the Pope to a generall Councell and had many great fauourers of his side Martyrol pag. 287. In France Gulielmus de S. Amore Master in Paris and chiefe ruler in that Vniuersitie hee wrote a booke de periculis Ecclesia wherein he maintaineth 39 conclusions against the Papists but especially against the Friers Magdeb. cent 13. c. 5. Robertus Gallut borne of a Noble parentage about the yeare 1290 wrote diuers prophesies against the Pope church of Rome in a booke of visions In the first Chap. whereof hee painteth forth the Pope like an Idol In the twelfth Chapter like a Serpent In the thirteenth he resembleth the state of the Church of Rome to a body whose head is dry leane and withered like a logge of wood In another place hee compareth the Schoole-men in their subtill questions and distinctions to a man who hauing fine Manchet bread and pure Wine set before him doth notwithstanding chuse rather to gnaw vpon an hard and flinty stone Martyrol pag. 292. In Italy Petrus Iohannes a Minorite about the yeare 1290 taught and maintained many things against the Pope prouing that he was Antichrist and the Synagogue of Rome the great whore of Babylon Nichol. Emer in lib. inquisit In Spaine Arnoldus de Villa noua a Spaniard by birth about the yeare 1252 was by the Pope condemned for an Hereticke because hee wrote against the corruptions of the Romish Church his preaching was to this effect First that the Pope and his Clergie seduce the world like Satan from the truth of Christ Secondly Faith as the Papists require it is no better then the Deuils faith Thirdly that the Pope leadeth men to Hell Fourthly that Cloisterers are void of charitie Fiftly that Masses are not to be celebrated and that they ought not to sacrifice for the dead with many other propositions to the like effect Magdeb. cent 13. c. 5. Hosiad cent 13. c. 10. Before that time there may be seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1200 and 1250 In England RObert Grosthead Bishop of Lincolne a man of great learning and godlinesse who liued in the daies of Pope Innocentius the fourth and constantly resisted his vnlawfull demands as by name the inuesting of a young Italian boy whom the Pope had recommended vnto him to be admitted into the next vacant Prebend in his Diocesse for his sharp preprouing the Pope of Rome and powerful preaching against the corruptions in that Sea hee was commonly called Malleus Romanorum The Hammer of the Romanes for his courage and doctrine the Pope was much incensed against him and sware that he would hurle him downe to such a confusion that he should be made a gazing stocke to all the world notwithstanding all which this good Bishop died peaceably And when as after his death the Pope would haue cast his bones out of Christian buriall in the night following the said Bishop seemed in a vision to appeare before him and smiting him with his Crozier-staffe on his right side with a sterne looke and terrible voice to say vnto him O thou scurâ—â—ie lazy bald doting Pope hast thou purposed to cast my bones out of 〈◊〉 Church God will not suffer thee to preuaile wâ—â— to thee that despisest for thou shalt be despised And so seeming to depart the Pope was found the next morning in a manner halfe dead Math. Paris Martyrol p. 295 296. In France Laurentius Anglicus an Englishman borne but Student in Paris of prime esteeme in that Vniuersity wrote against the Pope affirming that in him and his Prelates Antichrist was already come Martyrol p. 292. Almaricus a Doctor of Paris was burnt for withstanding altars images inuocation of Saints transubstantiation Car. Chron. 1202. In Sweden About the yeare of our Lord 1240 there were in Sweden many Preachers who in their Sermons inueyed against the Pope affirming the Pope and his Bishops to bee hereticks and Symoniacks and that popish priests were meere seducers that the Popes curse was not to bee dreaded and his indulgences were meere fopperies Ex Chronic. Abbat Vsperg Crantz lib. 8. c. 10. In Germany Frederick the second resisted the Popes vsurpations exiled his authoritie out of Germany and fought against him prosperously Mat. Paris p. 71. Sygefridus Seginoburgensis Rudicenus Rhachenicensis Conradus Frisingensis Bishops of Boiora ioyne with the Emperour against the Pope Auent lib. 5. Euarardus Iuuanensis an Archbishop in Germany spake thus of the Pope in an Assembly of Bishops at Regenspurg He vnder the colour of religion layeth the foundatioÌ„ of the kingdome of Antichrist These priests of Babylon will reigne alone they can endure no equall they will neuer rest vntill they haue trampled all things vnder their feet he sitteth in the Temple of God and is exalted aboue all that is worshipped Thus doth that child of perdition whom they vse to call Antichrist in whose forehead is written the name of blasphemy I am a god and cannot erre Auent lib. 7. p. 546. Before that time there may be seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1150 and 1200. In England GErhardus and Dulcinus Nauarrensis about this time preached against the Church of Rome defending and maintaining first That prayer was not more holy in one place then another secondly That the Pope was Antichrist and Rome the very Whoore of Babylon prefigured in the Apocalyps These two about the yeare 1158 brought 30 other of their own opinion with them ouer into England who by the commandement of the King
named I might goe on in the comparison through euery point of Doctrine in our Churches and shew the consent of these likewise in the particulars together with vs But for auoyding of prolixitie I referre the Reader to the examination hereof in the denotation of their particular opinions as they are set downe in order in the Catalogue And here by the way wee will meet with another Obiect 3 Objection of theirs which is this What doe you talke say they of Vnitie and Consent in your Protestant Churches you cannot tell whom you follow nor who are with you The Lutherans are against the Zuinglians these against the Caluinists The Geneua and other reformed Churches differ in many points from the English Therefore if any in the Catalogue before mentioned were Lutherans they were none of yours If they were Caluinists they were none of yours And therefore how can you shew your Religion in former times I answer 1. It is not strange to see difference in some circumstances betweene those that professe one and the same Religion St. Paul testifieth of the Church of Rome euen then when it was at the best That there were therein who caused diuisions and dissentions contrary to the Doctrine which they had receiued Rom. 16.17 And of the Corinthians hee saith There was among them enuying strife and contention some held of Paul 1 Cor. 3.3 Act. 15.39 Gal. 2.12 some of Apollos some of Cephas So Paul Barrabas yea Paul Peter had their differences So Polyâ—rates and Victor Cyprian and Cornelius Cyrill Theodoret Hierâ—me and Ruffinus Nazianzen and the Councell of Constantinople had not onely their differences but also bitter oppositions yet all agreeing in the substance of Faith reputed members of the same Catholike Church 2. Wee answer The defects and corruptions of Churches must be distinguished and they bee either in Doctrine or in manners Againe corruptions in Doctrine must further bee distinguished some of them are errours indeed but besides the foundation some directly against the foundation and these ouerturne all Religion whereas the former doe not As are these defects and corruptions in Churches so are their differences some about Ceremonies some about substance Now although the Churches of Geneua Heluetia Belgia c. differ from vs in some points of Ceremonies and Circumstances yet looke we to the substance of Faith and Doctrine which wee and they professe there is no difference at all betweene vs Indeed the maine difference is betweene vs and them about the point of Ecclesiasticall Discipline But marke in what manner we all ioyntly agree in the substance of the Discipline confessing on each side that there must bee the Preaching of the Word Administration of the Sacraments according to the institution and the vse of the power of the Keyes in Admonitions Suspensions Excommunications The difference betweene vs is onely touching the persons and the manner of putting this Discipline in execution And therefore notwithstanding this by difference wee and they are of one and the same Religion as may likewise appeare by the Harmonie of Confessions 3. As concerning those Churches which commonly are called the Lutheran Churches though their Augustan Confession hath not satisfied the expectation of other of the reformed Churches and some of the more rigid among them Admonition of the Ministers in the Paâ—lâ—r hate vs as bad as Papists yet we and they are of one Church for we haue the same enemies in matters of Religion and doe alike confesse the Diuinitie The office of the Mediator the doctrine of Faith of good Workes of Repentance and in opinion about the Word the Church the Magistrate are of one iudgement They differ indeed from vs in the matter of the Sacrament and therein are in a grosse errour But that difference betweene them and vs doth not take away wholly the Analigie of Faith and Doctrine betweene vs for that there is a true and reall receiuing of the Bodie and Blood of Christ in the Lords Supper we all agree And we joyntly confesse that Christ is there present so farre forth that he doth truly feed vs with his very Body and Blood to Eternall life all the controuersie lyeth in the manner of receiuing wee acknowledging a Spirituall receiuing which is by the hand of Faith They adding thereto the Corporall whereby they imagine themselues to receiue Christ with the hand and mouth of the Bodie And though to maintaine this their opinion they be constrained to turne the ascension of Christ into a disparition whereby his Body being visible becommeth inuisible yet in the maine points wee agree that hee entred into his Kingdome in our name for vs that we are gouerned and preserued by his power might and that whatsoeuer good thing we haue or do proceedeth wholly from the grace of his Spirit wee pittie their errours and leaue their persons vnto God Againe Popish Transubstantiation and Lutheran Consubstantiation are both we confesse against the truth of the Manhood of Christ yet with great difference Transubstantiation is flat against an Article of Faith for if Christ his body be made of Bread and his blood of Wine which must needs be if there be a conuersion of the one into the other then was hee not borne of the Virgin Mary for it cannot bee both made of Bakers bread and also of the substance of the Virgin Againe it wholly abolisheth the outward Signe and the analogie betweene the signe and the thing signified and so ouerturneth the Sacrament But Consubstantiation doth not so Q. neither doth is ouerthrow the substance of any Article of Religion but onely a maine point of Phisosophie which is That a Body doth occupie onely one place at one time Therefore howsoeuer in this point there bee a great difference betweene the Lutherans and vs yet we may bee both of one Church Obiect 4 I come now to the 4. cauill and Obiection which our Aduersaries the Papists obiect against our former Catalogue of Protestants Popish disc of Faith ss 57 Admit say they that in former ages you can finde some that were your ancestors and the forerunners of your Faith Stapleton de Iustif lib. 9. c. 7 yet what manner of persons were they Such as were notorious Hereticks men branded with the marke of grosse and damnable Doctrines CampiaÌ„ rat 10. prodigious and hellish liues Reprobates condemned by Popes and generall Councels yea the very dregs and the bellowes and the Iewell of hell To this we answer 1. That it is no new thing for those who are most blamelesse to be slaundered with many false and vniust calumniations Blessed are yee saith our blessed Sauiour when men shall reuile you Math. 5.11.12 and persecute you shal say all manner of euill against you falsly for my sake Reioyce be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heauen Act. 2.13 16 20. 17.7 2. Cor. 12.16 for so prosecuted they the Prophets which were before you As
Catalogus Protestantium OR THE PROTESTANTS KALENDER CONTAINING A SVRVIEW OF THE Protestants Religion long before Luthers daies euen to the time of the Apostles and in the primitiue Church LONDON Printed for Nathanael Butter 1624. An Epistle written by a Friend to the Author in his absence CHristian and discreet Reader It were a great defrauding the Store-house of Religion to conceale that for any priuate respect which concernes a publike benefit Aug. Conâ—â—â—s lib. 12. Veritatem celare est aurum sepelire To conceale the Truth saith St. Augustine is to bury Gold and to smother any ancient Sacred testimony of Antiquitie were to hide that treasurie in the bowels of the earth which is the inestimable Dowre of Gods Church Now of all truth and of all testimonies deriued from the roote and record of Antiquitie none ought to bee more sought after then the retayned puritie of Apostolique Doctrine resplendent in all Ages since our Sauiours plantation euen in the gloomie and darke dayes before Luther Our Priests and Jesuites for their vnpleasant clamorous and obstriperous sound not vnfitly resembling Frogs and Locusts haue of late dayes beene croaking and throtling out this harsh note and noyse to euery Protestant passenger Where was your Church before LVTHER Thinking belike so to choake vs with this Question as that not giuing vs leaue to fetch breath wee should not possibly bee able to deriue our Religion from any ancienter Author But alasse poore Romanists Though it would serue our turnes to answer with Ignatius the Martyr Jgnat Epist ad Philad 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 IESVS CHRIST is my Antiquitie Yet it shall appeare vnto you that Almightie GOD hath not left his Truth howsoeuer opposed by your impious rabble and malice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to bee without sufficient witnesse in all Ages as may appeare by the Writings of many Christian Antiquaries who haue deliuered the Lampe of knowledge and direction to vs and for the future benefit of the Christian World is now more plainly expressed by the Learned labour of this Reuerend Diuine out of whose large field of obseruation and Reading bee hath affoorded you so faire a Kalender and plentifull Catalogue of Names as may suffice to point out a Protestant successiue Church from Age to Age. Yea it is hereby easily seene that the Church of England hath not wanted multitudes of well disposed hearts at all times howsoeuer the publike authority at some time lacked to maintayne the open Preaching of the Gospell As for the worthinesse of this worke worthyest these times let the goodnesse of God bee duely glorified and the Authors paines-taking therein acknowledged so shall the doubtfull bee better informed the weake confirmed and many a soule benefited Thy welwiller in Christ IOHN GEE THE PROTESTANTS KALENDER Deuteronomie 3â— 7 Remember the daies of old consider the yeares of many generations aske thy father and he will shew thee thine elders and thâ—y will tell thee WHen the Athenians had consulted the oracle of Apollo Pythius what Religion it were fittest for them to professe Xenophoâ— They receiued this answer That they should follow the religion of their Ancestors and when they againe had replyed that their ancestors had often changed their religion and therefore they knew not in such an often alteration which to follow the Oracle resolued them M. Tull. Cleere de natura Dâ—â—rum Illud optimum quod primum That is best which was at the first The maine controuersie at this day in the world is about religioÌ„ in the great variety whereof among Iewes Pagans Turks and Infidels yea among those who call themselues by the name of Christians many weake and vnstable soules stand as in a maze and know not where to settle themselues Augustine Arnobius Now albeit as both Augustin Arnobius well obserue Religion is not so much to be weighed by time as by truth neither is it so much to be enquired after wheÌ„ it began as how it is to be followed yea it cannot be denied which Tertullian doth auerre that the Antiquity of Religion doth much serue to testifie the verity therof Teruil and the longer time it hath had of continuance the more it claimes our obseruance and ties vs to obedience The Heathen Hesiod Hesod could say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The old law is best And the best and most diuine of all the Philosophers Plato Plato 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Ancients are best as comming neerest vnto God And it is a rule among Lawyers Qui prior est tempore potior est iure He that is first in time hath the chiefest right hence is it that Bildad thus aduiseth Iob 8.8 9. Iob 8.8 9 10. Inquire I pray thee of the former age prepare thy selfe to the search of their fathers for we are but of yesterday and know nothing because our daies vpon the earth are but a shadow shall not they teach thee and tell thee And Iere. 6.16 Thus saith the Lord Stand ye in the waies and see aske for the old paths where is the good way and walke therein and ye shall find rest for your soules And in the song of Moses Deut. 32.7 Deut. 32.7 Remember the daies of old consider the yeares of many generations aske thy father and he shall shew thee thine elders and they will tel thee This tryall of our Religion by Antiquity I vndertake in the following discourse not so much against the Athiest who shaketh off all religion Philip Mornie treatise of the truth of religioÌ„ as if there were no vse of it at all for I could shew him that religion had a being so soone as there was any being and that before men were tyed to any obedience by humane Lawes before they furnished their mindes with any Arts before they wore cloathes on their backs Religion was in vse Neither against the Turks Pagans for I could shew them the Antiquity of true Religion long before their new deuised superstitions Clem. Alex. that whatsoeuer light they had of Religion Compâ—â—â— Greg. de 〈◊〉 Fisher in coâ—ference with 〈◊〉 Featly whatsoeuer shew of goodnes they haue in their seuerall Religions they haue borrowed or rather like theeues filched it from hence but my tryall Apologie is framed against the Papists who exclaime against vs as Nouelists and condemne our religion as a late vpstart challenging vs to shew where our Church where our religion was in former times which challenge of theirs howsoeuer it hath been answered to the full at diuers times by diuers learned Worthies in our Church D. Field of the Church D. Mortâ—n Caâ—thol Ap. D. Vsher de câ—â—tiâ— stat coâ—â—â—â— Archb. of Câ—â—terb treatise â—â—perpet viâ—â—◠〈◊〉 the Church Patrick Syâ—â—â—â—â— Richard Bernaâ—â— August de Triâ—â—â— lib. 1. c. 3. de mondâ—◠〈◊〉 of late hath receiued a full satisfaction if any thing will satisfie such vnquiet spirits by the most ReuereÌ„d Father highest Prelate
Prelates were burnt in the forehead so driuen out of the Realm Rob. Gisburn Illiricus saith they were afterwards slaine by the Pope Illâ—r Catol Martyrol p. 83. In France The Waldenses or Pauperes de Lugdâ—â—â— so called from one Waldus a man of great substance in the City of Lyons who about the yeare 1160 taking occasion by the sudden death of one with whom hee was walking beganne with a carefull studie to reforme his life and to this end studied the Scriptures diligently and taught the true knowledge of Gods word to as many as resorted vnto him In short space the number of those who ioyned with him came to thousands who were dispersed abroad into diuers parts of the world These were miserably persecuted by the Pope and his faction Hist de Waldeâ—s Raymund Earle of Tholouse for taking part with them was wrongfully vexed and disinherited by the Pope Mat. Paris In France The Religion of the Waldenses 1 They held that the Pope is not greater then another Bishop 2 That there is no purgatory 3 That it is in vaine to pray for the dead 4 That Masses for the dead are the inuentions of couetous priests 5 That images hallowing of waters and other creatures are superstitious 6 That the word of God should be truly preached vnto all men 7 That Fryers shrift and the vse of the oile in Baptisme are the inuentions of men 8 They contemned the Masse all that appertained to it 9 They misliked the single life of votaries and the distinction of daies and meats 10 They defended the reading of Scripture by the Laitie 11 They had but two sacraments 12 That the Communion should be administred in both kinds Nauc vol. 2. g. 900. Hildebertus Archbishop of Tours about this time taxed the pride of the Pope and being an excellent Poet made this distich of Rome Vrbs foelix si vel dominis vrbs illa careret Vel dominis esset turpe carere fide Happy would this City be If wanting lords her selfe were free Or hauing Lords in dignitie These wanted not true honesty In Germany Fredericke Barbarossa the Emperour about the yeare 1150 opposed himselfe against the Pope forbidding appeales to Rome the comming of Legates from thence into Germany and other trickes of the papall pride A great part of Germanie tooke part with him Nancl. vol. 2. p. 836. gen 39. In Constantinople About this time Anselme Bishop of Haremburg being sent from Lotharius to Calo Iohannes Emperor of ConstaÌ„tinople among other things he disputed much of the supremacy of the Romane Bishop Nichetes Bishop of Nicodemia excellently contested against him and confuted his arguments maintaining that the pride of the Romish Church was the cause of so many schismes and heresies which were then abroad in the world Ext. in Nancl. vol. 2. p. 900 in Patr. Symps hist of the Church p. 433. Before that time there may bee seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeeres 1100. and 1150. In England THeobald Archbishop of Canterbury with the Prelates of England in a Councell held at London anno 16. Regni Stephani regis decreed that Bishops should liue more discreetly that Priests should not bee Rulers ouer worldly matters that they should teach their flockes more diligently and that the people should read the Scriptures and learne the Lords Prayer the Creed in English Malsmb Chron. King Henry the first and his Nobles were euen at the point to forsake the Romish Church Patet ex Epist Anselm ad Pascal Pap. Martyrol pag. 177. Lincolniensis gaue this description of a Frier A Frier is a dead Carkasse risen out of his Graue wrap'd in a winding-sheet and carried among men by the Diuell Wichleis in Trialog lib. 4. cap. 26. pag. 143. In Almaine HIldegard a Nunne and a Prophetesse liuing about the yeere 1146. most bitterly reprehended the abhominable life of the Pope and his Clergie inueighing against the greedie subtill proceeding of Friers denouncing woe vnto those who suffer themselues to be seduced by them and foretelling the horrible destruction of the Church of Rome Histor Iornal Martyrol p. 182. 237. In France BErnard Abbot of Châ—xâ—â—val born in Burgundy liued about this time who although liuing in a most corrupt age hee was exceeding superstitious in some points yet freely reproued diuers corruptions then comming on hee is cleare with vs against the conceipt of the Virgin Maries Conception free from sinne as appeareth Ex Epist 179. ad Cam. Lugdon Against Merites Ser. 1. de Annunciat Against Iustification by workes Serm. 22. in Cantic Against Free will Lib. de Grana lib. Arb. Against the seuenfold number of Sacraments Ser. 1. de coen Dâ—m Against the vncertaintie of Saluation Epist 107. Against the Popes Greatnesse in Temporalities Lib. 2. consid ad Eugen Also hee admonished Count Theobald who bestowed great matters in building of Abbies and Churches that he should rather support them which are of the houshold of Faith and bee carefull to build the euerlasting Tabernacle Epist 107. In Flanders ABout this time was one burnt in Antwerp for Preaching against the reall presence in the Sacrament Massan Chron. lib. 16. anno 1124. In Germanie HEnry the fifth Emperor against Paschalis then Pope maintayned his owne right of making Bishops and other Priuiledges that belonged to his Ancestors which the Pope vsurped Nauder vol. 2. p. 807. Segon anno 1111. In Italie Arnulphus an eloquent Preacher came to Rome about this time and in his Preaching reproues the vicious life of the Popish Clergie hee is supposed to bee the Author of the Booke called Opus Tripartitum which containeth a great complaint of the enormities and abuses in the Church of the number of their Holidayes of the curious singing in Cathedrall Churches of the rabble of begging Friers of the vnchast voluptuous behauiour of Churchmen and finally wisheth reformation to begin at the Sanctuary for the which the hatred of the Pope and his Clergie was so much incensed against him that they layd priuie wait for him tooke him and drowned him Martyrol pag. 181. Sabellius and Platina say they hanged him Platin. in vit Honor. 2. Before that time there may bee seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1050. and 1100. In England ABout this time saith Mathew Paris The King of England fauored not much the See of Rome because of their impudent and vnsatiable exactions neither would he suffer any of his Subiects to goe to Rome alledging these wordes in the Author thus expressed Quod Petri non inhaerent vestigijs praemijs inhiantes non eius potestatem retinent cuius sanctitatem probantur non imitari Math. Paris In France BErengarius Archdeacon of Angeow about the yeare 1060. withstood the Doctrine of Transubstantiation newly hatched in the Councell of Lateran And although by the violence of the Pope and his Clergie hee was driuen to recantation yet after his Death many adhered to his opinion Malsmb In Germanie
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
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
same Faith which wee professe by the Bohemians Waldenses c. alreadie hath beene made manifest But how long time is it I pray that the name Papist whereof of late they were ashamed and wherein they now so much glory was knowne or acknowledged in the world Act. 11.26 Optat. Mileuit lib. 2. cont Parm. or whence is it that leauing the auncient name of Christians they rather with the Donatists appropriate vnto themselues the name of Catholicks Doubtlesse howsoeuer they bragge and boast of Antiquity wee may apply that of Bildad vnto them They are but of yesterday Iob. 8.9 for how could a man know what it was to be a Papist or what was the body of Religion before the Councell of Trent had defined it Trent Councel concluded An. dom 1563. which was since Luthers time Let them shew where their Papall Supremacie was before the time of Pope Goodface the third or their Latine Seruice before the yere 680. Platina or their Romish Masse before Adrian the 1. Anno 780. Iacob de Vorag in vit Gregor Exposit Rom. ord ann 1215 1222. ex Act. Rom. Pontif. 1414. or their Agnus Dei before Pope Sergius an 700. or their Transubstantiation before the Councell of Lateran or their eleuation and adoration of the Sacrament before the time of Honorius the third or their eceiuing of the Communion in one kinde onely and the absolute forbidding of the contrary before the Councell of Constance Iohan. Scot. lib. 4. dist 17. artic 3. or their absolute necessity of Auricular Confession before Innocent the third Idem ibid. in his Councell of Lateran or the prohibition of Marriage to the Clergie before the same time I might instance in many other points of Poperie which howsoeuer they may carrie some shew and shadow of Antiquity yet being duly considered they will appeare to be but late inuentions peeced and patched together by their Popes as each of them in their succession was minded to adde something to make vp the full measure of the mysterie of Iniquity Neyther let them boast as of commonly they cracke of the ancient Church of Rome Rhom 〈◊〉 in Act. 1â— â— Idem in Eâ—â—â— 4.13 so famously renowned by the Writings of the Apostles and commended and appealed vnto by the auncient Fathers for the name and shew of the Romane Church See M. Fox his description of the diffâ—rence of the now Church of Rome and the old Actâ— and Monum first 26. pageâ— is but an emptie shew of Names and Titles this present Romane being in a manner wholly departed in the Questions controuerted from the auncient and retayneth nothing but the Title The true auncient and Apostolike Church of Rome so much commended by the Fathers and sought to by the World professed another kind of Faith then this doth and the same that we now defend against them That Church affected no such prowd and swelling Titles it vsurped no such transcendent Iurisdictions it obserued no such foolish Superstitions it maintained contrarie Doctrine to their now Errors To what purpose then should any sticke vpon the name of the Romane Church when the true Faith is changed Or what doe the Prerogatiues and Royalties of the auncient Church concerne this that is turned to another Religion Or who regardeth an House of stately Building or anticke memorie of auncient Antiquitie when the Plague hath infected it and Theeues possesse it Leaue therefore yee Romanists to cracke of your Antiquitie or to traduce vs of Noueltie wee may take vp the words of Nicephorus Concil Ephâ—â— sin pag. 307. the Patriarke of Constantinople in an Epistle to Leo Bishop of Rome Wee also haue the Name of Rome the â—diâ— and auncient Faith of Rome among vs being built vpon one and the same foundation of Faith in matter of Faith we follow them Wherefore let S. Paul glorie and reioice in vs also and ioyning new things with old and comparing vs in Doctrines and Preaching let him glorie in vs both alike for wee as well as they following the Doctrines and Institutions wherein wee are rooted are confirmed in the confession of our Faith wherein wee stand and reioyce c. As for you my poore seduced Countreymen who suffer your selues to be seduced and mis-led by these Popish Circumcellions take heed and beware how you fauour these Merchants of the Romish Strumpet who vnder fained pretences and subtile insinuations goe about to make merchandise of your soules 2. Pet. 2.5 These latter dayes saith the Apostle are perillous times and these Popish Priests and Iesuits I may say are perillous seducers 2. Tim. 3.1 6 7. They of this sort creepe into houses and lead captiue silly women laden with sinnes and led about with diuers Lusts euer learning and neuer able to come to the knowledge of the Truth Listen not vnto them It is not good for Eue to fall to conference with the Serpent Genes 3. no nor for Adam neyther to suffer Eue and the Serpents parley or to encline vnto them least hee also be partaker in the Transgression Consider what is the end they ayme at not Religion but the Soueraigntie of their high-towring Church not the Consciences of men yeelding to their Ceremonies and Superstitions will satisfie them vnlesse they haue their wills in ouer-ruling all and bringing them vnder their Antichristian Yoake How doe they disturbe Thrones and fill the World with Anarchie and Confusions and whose soules they should winne to God by ministring the Word and Sacraments their bloud they sacrifice to the Deuill by stirring them vp to Treason and Rebellion Beloued 1. Ioh. 4.1 beleeue not euery Spirit but trie the Spirits whether they be of God or no. A Foole saith Salomon beleeueth euery thing Prou. And surely it is their folly who suffer themselues to be seduced by giuing too easie credit to the slauering insinuations of these Popish Teachers and are hereby brought into a great dislike of our Church because they beleeue their words and doe not make search and enquirie after the truth of the same Beware least that dreadfull iudgement of God fall vpon you 2. Thess 2 10 11. Because they receiued not the knowledge of the Truth that they might be saued therefore God shall send them strong delusions that they should beleeue lyes You will say That you are no Changelings That yee are of the olde Religion That you keepe the olde Faith and will liue and dye in the same Religion which your fore-fathers professed Poore soules Popish Religion is not the oldest Religion but a late vpstart a Modell of Superstition your Popes Catholike Church is but an Impostume growne in the Church Wee confesse that for a long time the Christian World hath beene annoyed with it yet euen in the time and before the time of this declining from the Truth our Faith and Religion hath euer kept it selfe vnspotted The true cause why during the former ouer-clouding times of Poperie the Exercises
one Parish called Cammach Reyner resp there were tenne open Schooles of them And whereas they are taxed by Aeneus Siluius to sauour of an Anabastinill communitie that they had all things common among them Martyrol 209. This is a malicious slander of a papall Parasite Indeed because they being thrust forth both of Countrie and goods and compelled to make the best shift as they could for themselues they did not intend their owne priuate commoditie but euery one did helpe each other to the vtmost of his power the most part of them being made through the Tyrannie of their persecutors very poore and hence they were called Pauperes de Lugouno Or the poore men of Lyons Their Doctrine howsoeuer the Papists after their vsuall manner mis-report of it and speake worse of it then it is yet cannot be brought by them within the compasse of Heresie or be confuted by the Word of God The Booke of Inquisition doth thus describe them and their manners Ex Inquisitorio quodam libello de moribus consuetudine Waldens The manner of the Waldensis is this They kneeling vpon their knees doe continue in their prayers with silence so long as a man may say thirtie or fortie Pater-nosters And this they doe euery day with great reuerence being among themselues and such as be of their owne Religion both before Meales and after likewise when they goe to bed and in the morning when they rise and at certaine other times also as well in the Day as in the Night Also they haue and vse the seuen Articles of Faith concerning the Diuinitie and seuen Articles concerning the Humanitie and the ten Commandements and seuen workes of Mercie which they haue compyled together in a compendious Booke glorying much in the same and thereby offer themselues readie to answere any man for their Faith Before they goe to meat they haue this Grace Benedicite Kyrie eleyson Christe eleyson Kyrie eleyson Pater-noster Whiâ—h being said then the elder amongst them beginneth thus in their owne Tongue God which blessed the fiue Barley Loaues and two Fishes in the Desart before his Disciples blesse this Table and that which is or shall be set vpon it In the Name of the Father of the Sonne and the Holy Ghost Amen And likewise when they rise from meat the Senior giueth thankes saying the words of the Apocalypse Blessing and Worship and Wisdome and Thanks-giuing Honor Vertue and Strength to God alone for euermore Amen And addeth moreouer God reward them in their Bosomes and be beneficiall to all them that be beneficiall to vs and blesse vs And the God which hath giuen vs Corporall Feeding graunt vs Spirituall Life and God be with vs and wee alwayes with him To which they all answere Amen And thus saying Grace they hold their hands vpward looking vp to Heauen After their Meat and Grace thus said they teach and exhort among themselues conferring together vpon their Doctrine c. Hitherto the Booke of Inquisition made against them doth testifie of them Let vs adde hereto the Testimonie of Reynerus their professed Enemie who when hee had said all that he could in deprauing and impugning them yet is driuen to confesse this of them Reyner Hist de Waldens Ex Orthuin Gratian. This Sect of Lyonests so hee calleth them of the place where-hence first they sprang hath great shew of Pietie liuing vprightly before men and beleeuing all things aright concerning God and all the Articles of the Creed onely they hate and blaspheme the Church of Rome c. Thus farre by way of Apologie for the Waldenses The like Apologie I might make for all the rest of those famous Worthies which together with vs long before our dayes or the dayes of Martin Luther haue professed the same Religion which wee now professe But because these before-mentioned are the parties against whom our Aduersaries the Papists especially doe except and whatsoeuer else they doe or can alleadge against any other particulars are the same things which haue beene answered vnto the former exceptions I will surcease from further Apologies especially seeing that I labour to be briefe This which this way hath beene spoken may suffice to cleare these Auncients of our Religion whom wee haue alreadie prooued to haue beene of the same Faith and Religion which wee now hold and the Papists themselues call the fore-runners of our Faith from those slanderous Calumniations which they asperse vpon them and to prooue them such famous and worthie Instruments of Gods glorie that wee need not be ashamed to follow them in that holy way which they haue gone before vs. Hauing now cleared the way and traced the footsteps of our Protestant predecessors backward from the dayes of Martin Luther vnto the very time when Poperie that great Mysterie of Iniquitie began to display it selfe in her colours from the time of King Henry the eight vnto the dayes of Phocas the Emperour for the space well-nigh of a thousand yeeres I now returne againe to prosecute this Catalogue and to shew a farre higher ascent of the same from the time when Poperie was set on foot vnto the dayes of the Apostles and the time in which our blessed Sauiour did manifest himselfe in the flesh Which labour albeit it might well be spared for as much as the Controuersie being betweene vs and the Papists Which of the two Churches is the most auncientest wee hauing alreadie shewed the continuance of our Church euen from the time when first their Church if wee may call that a Church which they haue turned into a Court began wee haue done alreadie to stop their mouthes and to free our selues from that imputation of Noueltie which they obiect against vs Yet for the more ample manifesting of the Point now in Controuersie and wholly to stop the mouth of the Aduersarie that it may appeare that our Religion is yet of farre greater Antiquitie a farther demonstration shall be made wherein it shall appeare that our Religion that which is now professed by the Protestant Churches is that same Religion which was taught by Christ and his Apostles professed and maintained by all the Orthodoxe ancient Fathers Martyrs and Confessors that liued in and since the Primitiue Church to the time that Poperie was first hatched out of his Cockatrice Egge Which to make plaine wee must by the way take notice That in the first six hundred yeeres there was no substantiall or fundamentall Innouation receiued in the Church the present Romane Faith touching the Points controuerted betweene them and vs being as yet eyther vnhatched or not receiued by knowne Heretikes 2. Thess 2.7 Onely the Mysterie of Iniquitie that began to worke in the Apostles time Euscb Hist lib. 3. cap. 32. lib. 4. cap. 23. encreased by the Heresie Ignorance and Superstition of some that dayly corrupted the Truth Stories remember vs of a saying of Hegesippus Niceph. lib. 4. cap. 7. That the Church continued a Virgin vndefiled
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