exposition of the creed affirmeth that from Gregories daies to Luthers which was 900. yeares the Popish heresy had spredd it self ouer the whole earth The like acknowledgement doth make Simon de Voyon Mr. Fulk others heretofore cited Nap. pag. 68. Mr. Napper that so greatly commended aduersary in his Treatise vpon the Reuel dedicated to the K. Maiesty granted vs 1260. yeares of prescription saying that betwixt the yeare of Christ 300. 316. Anti-christiaÌ„ raigne began raigning vniuersally without any debatable contradictioÌ„ 1260. yeares thesame affirmeth Mr. Brocard vpoÌ„ the reuelatioÌ„ Mr. Gifford against the Brownists pag. 38. graunteth vs 1300 Fo. 110. odder yeares saying to offer oblation for the dead was generall in the Church loÌ„g before the daies of S. Austine as appeareth in S. Cyprian Tertull who liued about the yeare 240. Hamelmannus de Traditionibus Fol 741. reacheth vp to S. Denis of Areopag who liued in the in the Apostles times saying that Denis did write much of Churches of Altars of places sanctified of Consecrations Monkes and sundry Ceremonies Sebastianus Francus Epist de abrogandis statut Eccles saith that immediatly after the Apostles times the Masse begun Hospinianus in hist Sacram. lib. 1. ca. 6. affirmeth that it was euen in the Apostles times they being yet aliue Mr. Ascham a prime protestant in his Apol. pro caena Dom. pag. 31. acknowledged that no beginning therof can be shewed Mr. Gab. Powell pag. 43. in his consideration of the Papistes Supplication being prouoked that if our Catholike doctrine be errour then to tell vs when it came in who was the Author of it c. Answereth thereto acknowledging and saying We cannot tell by whome or at what time the Enemie did sow it neither indeed do we know who was the first Author of euery one of your blasphemous opinions And Mr. VVhitaker in Resp ad Camp rat 7. pag. 101. confesseth that the Romane Churches change cannot easily be tould Now if that rule Aug Ep. 118. or proofe of Apostolical doctrine of S. Aug. be true viz. Whatsoeuer opinion is not knowne to haue begun since the Apostles times thesame is not new or secondary but receiued it is originall from the Apostles themselues The which Rule saith Mr. VVhitgift some times Archb of Canterb. in his defence pag. 352. was of credit with the writers of our time namely with Mr. Zuinglius Mr. Caluine Mr. Gualter and surelie saith he I thinke no learned man doth dissent from them the which Rule he likewise vrgeth against Mr. Cartwright his Puritane Brother in defence of the names Metropolitanes Cartwr ag whilg pag â—03 352. and Bishops to whome Mr. Cartwr answeareth saying I appeale to the Iudgement of all men if this be not to bring in Poperie againe to allow of S. Augustins saying c. Further he affirmeth that therby a window is open to bring in all Popery Therfore seeing according to S. Augustins rule the opinion doctrine whose beginning is not knowne whose Antiquity cannot be found is a proofe of Apostolike Doctrine it followeth that the opinion whose beginning is knowne the Antiquity Author therof found is a sufficient proofe of false doctrine And hence it is that S. Hierome saith To reduce an heresie to a beginning is a confutation of it Hiero. ad Clesiphont And seing that our aduersaries caÌ„ shew no beginning or Author of the foresaid pointe of Catholike Priesthood yea not of any one necessary and essentiall Article of Catholike doctrine on the other part seing we caÌ„ reduce euery pointe of aduerse doctrine to his beginning Author time place froÌ„ Christ to this day according to the promise made by God himself to his Catholike Church that Pastors Eph. 4.12 Isa 6â— 6 Doctors must be in the Church till the Consummation of Saints who shal be as watchmen all the day and all the night for euer they shall not hould their peace but shall alwayes resist false opinions innouations with open reprehension CoÌ„sequently it followeth this our Catholike doctrine wherto we were so many Ages since conuerted to be no new or secondary since the Apostles times but truely primitiue and vndoubtedly Apostolike And contrariwise our aduersaries doctrine to be new secondary false and Apostaticke And this concerning Praescription SECTION VII OF CONTINVALL CLAIME IF Continuall Claime be a matter amongst you wherby Right title are preserued It is more then euident that this our Catholike Church hath bene euer waking ready euen within the yeare day so to preserue her right in this and other points against all Sects and heresies whatsoeuer and howsoeuer deuided otherwise among themselues did generally conspire to oppose themselues as against their capitall enemie This is euident to this day in Anabaptistes Swenckfeldians Libertines Antrinitarians etc. Who thinke the reformation of Religion to consist specially in the abnegation of our Catholike Faith terming themselues in such respect reformed Churches and euery one of them thinking themselues so much more reformed then others by how much they are further then others dissenting from our Catholike Religion it needeth no better proofe then that of the Protestants Puritanes in England We haue not bene wanting to this Continuall Claime before Luthers time by reason of our former confessed quiet possession euen in the iudgement of our very aduersaries And our need since his time hath bene but in some countries in which our Claime hath bene so dailie continued as we hould it needlesse to proue the same so that our aduersaries are forced to say their Church was for many yeares inuisible contrary to that promise made by God himselfe to his Church Esay 62.2 saying vpon thy Walles ô Hierusalem haue I set watchmen all the day night for euer they shall not be silent Pag. 191. 188. Mr. Napper in his booke vpon the Reuelation dedicated to the Kings Maiestie affirmeth that this abiding of Gods Temple so long latent and obscure is most certaine Noe true visible Church nor sincere doctrine publiquely opened that any man may haue accesse vnto Againe from the yeare of Christ 316. Pag. 161. God hath withdrawne his Church from open assemblies into the harts of particular godly men where it abode inuisible to these our daies the space of 1260. yeares acknowledging likewise that during the foresaid space of 1260 yeares the Catholike Romane Church did possesse the foresaid Continuall Claime affirming that from Constantines time till those our daies euen 1260. years the Pope his Clergie haue possessed the outward visible Church of Christians Pag 43. Mr. Gab. Powell in his consideration of the Papistes supplication saith We cannot tell by whome or at what time the enemie did sowe c. meaning our Catholike doctrine Mr. Fulk in his Reioined Pag. 265. being vrged with this demand I answeare quoth he my text saith it was a misterie not reuealed therfore could not be at the
Romane Sea Now seing S. Sixtus 3. who was predecessor to this Leo did confirme the Canons of the generall Councell of Ephesus which proueth the masse to be a Sacrifice vt supra that vnbloody which is offered daylie in the Church therefore I say it followeth according to Beza his opinion that this Pope Sixtus did breath forth no arroganty nor Antichristan doctrine seing he was before Leo who was the Antichrist according to Bezas saying consequently the masse not to be Antichristian doctrine but Christian true doctrine 3. MELANCTHON saith In locis postremo editis Zozimus who was Pope Anno 420 was the first Antichrist that since there was neuer any true Bishop of Rome Now if Zozimus was the first Antichrist false Bishop it followeth that Innocentius who allowed of absolution from sinnes by a priest Innocēt Epist 1. Vecentiū ca 7. who was predecessor to Zozimus was no Antichrist but a good Christian and true Bishop did teach Christian and true doctrine And not only he but also all the rest of the Bishops of the Romane Sea who were before Innocentius the first the number of which amounted to 41. were true Bishops did teach true doctrine And consequently Catholike Priesthood teached allowed and practised by them is true and Christian doctrine euen according to Melancthon his opinion Lib. de Antichr sto contra Sand pag. 35. 4 MR. WHITAKER a learned Aduersary being vrged by the Catholike writer D. Sanders who affirmeth that the Catholike Romane Church was not chāged during the first 600. yeares after Christ acknowledged the same to be true saying during all that time the Church was pure florishing and inuiolably taught and defended the Faith deliuered from the Apostles Now according to this Aduersaryes Confession it followeth that Catholike Priesthood other points of doctrine taught by those Ancient Fathers brought as witnesses heretofore in defence of our cause must be pure doctrine inuiolably deliuered from the Apostles 5. In his Conf. of purgat pag. 373 MR. FVLK doth graunt that the cause why Irenaeus Cyprian Tertull. Optatus and Vincentius Lyrinensis Hierom Augustine did name the Church of Rome was because the Church of Rome at that time as it was founded by the Apostles so it continued in the doctrine of the Apostles Now seing those very same Fathers are alleaged by vs as Witnesses in defence of our cause it followeth by Mr. Fulkes owne Confession that our doctrine in this point is the doctrine of the Apostles 6. MR. NAPPER that renouned Protestant auouched to his Maiestie that Pope Siluester who liued about Anno 313. Vppon the reuelat p. 66. 68. was the Antichrist but seing all these Popes who were before Pope Siluester his time he being but the thirty fourth Pope were all Priests and practised ther Priesthood by saying of masse c did practise or teach no Antichristian doctrine seing as Mr. Napper affirmeth the Antichrist was not as yet come but Christian holsome doctrine was taught by them and consequently a Massing Priest to be no new or Antichristian doctrine 7. MR. GIFFORD in his demonstrations that Brownists are Donatists c. saith pag. 38. To offer oblation for the dead was generall in the Church long before the dayes of S. Austin as appeareth in Cyprian Tertullian Now seing that Cyprian Tertullian liued within 240. yeares after Christ all the which time yea euen to S. Austins time the Churche did florish and did maintanie the doctrine of the Apostles heretofore confessed It must follow that Oblation for the dead was good and faithfull doctrine seing it was generally holden maintained by the Church Of the Church li. 3 c 29 pa. 138. 8. MR. FIELD reporting the errors of Aerius the heretike saith Aerius condemned the custome of the Church in naming the dead at the Altar and offering the sacrifice of the Eucharist that is of thankesgeuing for them hee disliked of sett Fastes and would not admitt any difference betweene a Bishop a Presbyter c. he was iustly condemned thus hee Now seing that Mr. Field saith that Aerius was iustly condemned for not allowing the mention of the dead made at the Altar the offering the sacrifice of the Altar c it followeth that Mr. Field allowes of mention to be made for the dead at an Altar and of a sacrifice albeit he call this sacrifice of the Eucharist a Thanksgiuing but I must confesse most improperly but none of those be practised this day in the Church of England all Altars being destroyed the word Sacrifice banished And consequently in Mr Field his opinion mentioning the dead at the Altar and offering sacrifice is sound doctrine the contrary is error iustly condemned by the Church Pag 3. MR. GODWIN◠in his Catalogue of the Bishops of England speaking of S. Gregory the great Bishop of Rome saith That blessed and holy Father S. Gregory was the occasion of replanting the Christian Faith in our countrey But none of our Aduersaries can denie but S. Gregory did allow of massing Priests yea he being one himself and likewise of euery particular point of our now professed Catholike Faith As Altars Vestiments Images Chalices Crosses Candlestikes Censers holy vessels holy water the sprinkling therof with many other points Ceremonies reported by the Protestant writer D. Humfrey in Iesuitismi part 2. And therefore according to Mr. Godwine it must follow Cap. 5. pag. 5. that all these points are points of Christian doctrine seing these be the points in which we Englishmen were first instructed by S. Augustine sent for that purpose into England by S. Gregory the great Pope of Rome MR. IEWEL Hooker l. 2. sect 6 p. 112. whom Mr. Hooker in his Eccles Policij termeth the worthiest diuine that christendome breed for some hundred yeares past in his reply to Mr. Harding pag. 246. saith Aswell S. Austin as also other godly Fathers rightly yelded reuerence to the Sea of Rome c. for the purity of Religion which was there preserued a long time without sport thus hee But seing not only after but likewise before S. Austins daies the Church of Rome did allowe of massing Priests other points of our now professed Catholike Faith as we haue shewed at lardge heretofore in our said Iurye Therfore according to Mr. Iewells saying Catholike Priesthood is a pure Christian doctrine MR. RIDLEY saith in Mr Fox Actes and Monuments pa. 1359. the Patriarch of Rome so he termeth the Pope in the Apostles times and long after was a great maintainer and setter forth of Christs glory in the which aboue all other countreyes and regions was preached the true Gospell the Sacramēts were most duely administred c After the Empors became Christians saith he the Gospell there florished most But all the Popes who were in the first second and third hundred yeares did allow of Catholike Priesthood Witnesse of this is
S. Clement Pope who was third Pope after S. Peter and liued about the yeare 102 who saith Ep. 3. thus in one of his Epistles Let noe Priest say masse in his Parish without the licence of his Bishop And by saying of Masse the Eucharist was giuen and receiued o◠the people as is witnessed by S. Dionyse S. Ignatius S. Marcellus who liued in the second Age as before hath beene shewed After S. Clement succeeded S. Anaclete Anacletus Ep. 1 in the yeare 03 who commaunded that masse should be celebrated only in holy places After him S Alexander who died for the Faith in the yeare 131. Baron in mart 3 May. he did confirme the Apostolike constitution of mingling wine with water in the sacrifice of the masse In decretis Sixti Papae After him was S. Sixtus Romanus in the yeare 142. who commaunded that the sacred vessels vsed at masse at other times should not be handled nor touched by any man but by the who were in holy Orders After him was S Felesphor◠who had binan anchorite in Greece he died in the yeare 154. he ordained that the masse should be celebrated in the night in Christmasse euen c. After him succeeded S. Pius an Italian who died in the yeare 167. in one of his Epistles to Iustus Bishop of Vienna he saith Tom. 1. Biblio SS Patrū we do celebrate the masse in the Churche of Euprepia c. After him or as some say before him succeeded S. Anicet who died in the yeare 175. he would that the Priest should beare a shauen crowne Anacletus Ep. ad Gallos his decrees are extant Tom. 1. Concil After him succeeded Soter and died 179. who commaunded that none should celebrate masse without one to help him And so successiuely one after another vntill S. Siluesters time who was Pope in the time of Constantine the great the first Christian Emperor who was Christened by the said S. Siluester These be the Bishops of Rome whom Mr. Ridley termeth Patriarkes who did maintaine pure doctrine All of them being before Constantine the first true Christian Emperor And as for that he saith that in the first Christian Emperors times the Gospell did florish it is most manifest that Cōstantine who was Emperor in the yeare of our Lord 306. did allow of Monkes through out Syria Palestina Bithynia c. Cent. cent 4. col 2441. did keepe in his company court Massing Priests with all prouision to that effect as Zozimus affirmeth he did attribut supremacie to the Bishop of Rome Zozim hist li. 1 cap. 8. Frig. in his palma ad Sereniss Reginā Aug. as affirmeth Frigiuellaus Gauius a Protestant Writer with other points of our Catholike doctrine in whose time the Churches doctrine was one and the same as it is at this day concerning Freewill iustification by workes Confession of sinnes to a Priest Inioined penance Absolution of such as had confessed giuen by imposition of handes Also with affirming penance to be the second table after Shipwrack vnwritten Traditions inuocation of Saints Purgatory Altars consecrated with the signe of the Crosse Chrisme the reall presence Transubstantation Cent. 4. sacrificing for the dead and many other points which the Centurists of Magdeburg call errors of that time Now seeing that Maister Ridley saith that the first Bishops of Rome the first Christian Emperors did set out Christs glory and did administer duely the Sacraments It followeth that in his opinion these points defended and taught by the Churche in those times are no lesse now pure true doctrine and that the Eucharist is duely administred by massing Priests Sect 6. MR. HOOKER in his praeface to his bookes of Eccl. Policy saith That wee are right sure of this that nature Scripture experience haue all taught the world to seek for the ending of contentions by submitting it self vnto some Iudiciall and definitiue sentence whervnto neither parties that contend may vnder any pretence refuse to stand Now seing all Generall Prouinciall Councells haue giuen their Iudiciall definitiue sentence concerning this point in fauor of vs Catholikes And on the other side seing neither Mr. Hooker nor any Protestant can alleadge any generall Councell or Prouinciall or any Synodicall Conuenticle before this last 100. yeares to the contrary It followeth according to Mr. Hooker that wee should allow of the Sacrifice of the Masse seing Councclls in their Iudiciall definitiue sentēces haue allowed of it And much more because he affirmeth most constantly in his bookes of Eccl. Pol. that the Church of Rome is to be reputed as a part and limme of the Church Lib. 5. pag. 188. and house of God But because I can not tell whether our aduersaries Will allow what their followes did write or teache in the dayes of Queene Elizabeth seing they defend as D. Doue a Protestant writer affirmeth perswas pag. 31. they may often change and doe at least at the change of euery Prince These be his own woordes VVhen the masse was first Put down King Henry had his English Liturgie that was iudged absolute without exception But when Edward came to the Crowne that was condemned and an other put in the place which Peeter Martyr and Bucer did approue as very consonant to Gods woord VVhen Queen Elisabeth beganne her raigne the former was iudged to be full of imperfections and a new was diuised and allowed by the consent of the Clergie But about the midle of her raigne we grew weary of that book and great meanes haue beene wrought to abandon that and establish another which although it was not obtayned yet we doe at the least at euery change of Prince change our book of common prayer we be so wanton that we know not what we would haue Thus Doctor Doue Therfore to giue our Aduersaries all aduantages you shall heare the reporte of those Protestant writers who haue written since the beginning of his Maiesties raigne in England and so much and so incharitably against vs Catholikes that for that cause one of their owne number Ormer pict Pap. in postscript adiudgeth many of their bookes to the fire and their Authors worthie of death MR. MIDLETON Papistomast pag. 137. 138. graunteth with S. Chrysost S. Aug. S. Epiphan That Sacrifice and Prayer for the dead was an Apostolicall Tradition D SVTCLIFFE against the three Conuers pag. 791. saith Christes true Church is a diligent and wary keeper of doctrines committed to her and changeth nothing at any time diminisheth nothing addeth nothing superflius looseth not her owne nor vsurpeth things belonging to others But seing D. SVTCLIFFE can not deny but the church of Rome was once Chrysts true church therfore it followeth according to D. Sutcliffe opinion that the church of Rome must needes haue diligently and warely kept the doctrine of such a maine and essentiall point of her cheife function as is the Sacrifice of the Masse nor changing nor adding any
as Hospinianus in histor Sacram fol. 131. part altera Hospin Io. Regius Ioannes Regius considerat censurae pag. 123. Neither was this conference betweene the Deuill Luther spirituall only or a dreame but as Balduinus Balduinus a follower of Luther lib. de disput Luther cap. 4. pag. 83. saith a reall truth written by Luther saith he not hyperbolically but seriously and according to the truth of the history And if we looke to Luthers life after his Apostacie we shall find it answerable to his doctrine both tending to libertie it needeth not any other testimonie then that which the Protestants themselues acknowledge For say they Luther became so arrogant Ioac Camar de conâ—ugio Lutheri Conrad Regius de caena Dom. insolent and possessed with the sinne of Pride that God therefore did withdraw his true spiritt from him This we may manifestly gather out of his owne writings Tom. 2 Germ. Fol. 9. praefat lib. de abrog Miss where he acknowledged his conscience accusing him condemning him of singularity against the whole Christian world all times places persons and authorities These be his owne wordes how often hath my heart panted reprehended me obiecting against me what art thou only wise can it be credible that all others do erre haue erred so long time haue all generations so often euer bene deceaued What if thou dost erre bring so many into errour that shal be damned for euer art thou only he which hath the true pure word of God Hath no man in the world thesame but thou that which the Church of Christ hath hitherto defined and so many yeares obserued as good dost thou ouerthrow it as though it were euill so dost dissipate by thy doctrine both Ecclesiasticall ciuill common weales Thus his coÌ„science so long as he had any coÌ„demned him thus he repented his disobedience and said in praef in tom 1. Germ. Ientacul that he hoped the bookes which he had written would be burnt infect no more but when the bridle of Obedience was altogether broken his conscience extinguished and the plumes of pride sensualitie had mounted so high and carried him so farre he behaued himself in his apostacie Suet. as by the testimonie of Suetonius in vita Iul. Caes Iulius Caesar did in his temporall Rebellion against the Roman state who in the beginning doubted whether he should go forward or no Luther in colloq Mensal fol. 241. Tom 5. Germ. 121. Osiand cent 13. lib. 1. cap. 4. pag. 329 The ceÌ„t writers cent 13. cap. 5. Fulk in his retentiue pag 124. MelaÌ„ct loc coÌ„ de potest Ecclesiast Whitak cap. 18. Osiand Epist cent 16. pag. 86. Conrad in Theol Caluinist in proaem but when he had cast of shame he brake out into this speech Iacta est alea my chance is throwne So Luther wheÌ„ shipwracke was made of shamefastnes vttered his vnreasonable resolution of obstinate persisting in these termes Because saith he I haue entred into this cause now I must looke vnto it of necessity say it is iust If you aske a reason Doctor Martin Luther will haue it so sic volo sic iubeo sit pro ratione voluntas And thus much briefly of Sathans labouring by the ministry of Luther to impugne the Masse and neuer knowne to haue bene in any age before impugned otherwise then by the Albigenses Apostolici Almericus VVickliffs and such other as in regard of their other opinions were coÌ„fessedly euen in the Iudgment of our very aduersaries all of them noted knowne heretikes whose opinions in this other particulars were priuate by the said parties afterwards recanted called backe or else died with them And as for Carolostadius Zuinglius coÌ„temporanean to Luther whome Protestants name brethren their proceedings to impugne the Masse was not different from that of Luthers viz by illusions of Sathan as Protestants themselues do with dislike report of them Luther in loc com class 5 pag 47. speaking of Carolostadius calleth him a man giuen ouer into a reprobate sense and of Zuinglius he saith he condemned auoyded him with all his hart as despayring of his saluation as Hospinianus witnesseth in histor Sacram part Whitak contra camp rat 8. alt pag. 187. And the same they thinke of Luther So well agree the Fathers the Brethren as Protestants call them SECTION XII THE CONCLVSION PARDON me therefore Right honorable Reuerend learned if I be so bould now to appeale to your VVisedomes graue and mature Iudgement Vt sup whether Luthers doctrine concerning the Masse which had its growth in this age by apparitions from the Deuill as him self his dearest Schollers do accordingly confesse be of greater credit authority then that doctrine Religion whose vndoubted proofes are answerable correspondent to the like receiued principles groundes of your owne lawes then that ReligioÌ„ which remaineth in it self beautified with manifold confessed ornaments from ancient and memorable testimonies of your owne nation of all Christian nations of all precedent times then that Religion whereto the English nation was in the Apostles times confessedly first conuerted Then that Religion which hath founded your ancient municipall lawes and courts of iudgement erected your Churches Bishops-seas Religious houses Colledges Vniuersities and many other knowne monuments of pietie Then that Religion to which so many Kings Kingdomes of Gentils haue bene conuerted according to the sundry plaine praedictions of the Prophets had in that behalfe of Christs true Church which said praedictions otherwise then in by this Religion are yet hitherto coÌ„fessedly left vnperformed Then that Religion whose Priesthood and sacrifice was foretould by the Prophetes and acknowledged by the Apostles Then that Religion which is answerable to the doctrine of those Religious Iewes who liued before Christ Then that Religion which euen then long since was vniuersally professed in the Christian world Then that Religion in which was then also confirmed to vs from heauen with testimony of vndoubted miracles Then that Religion Faith approued of by the consent of so many Generall Nationall and Prouinciall Councels by the Iudgment of so many holy learned ancient Fathers practise of all times and ages and euen by the confession of our aduersaries Then that Religion against which all Sects heresies whatsoeuer howsoeuer deuided otherwise amoÌ„gst themselues do yet generally conspire Then that Religion to which our aduersaries afford to the members Professours therof the hopefull promises of saluation Then that Religion which only is ratified by all authoritie all Scriptures Traditions Prophetes Sibills Rabbins before Christ by the Apostles Euangelists all holy learned Fathers Historians Antiquaries and Monuments all Sinods Councels lawes Parliaments Canons decrees of Popes Emperors Kings Rulers all Martyrs Confessors and holy Witnesses by all Friends Enemies euen Mahometans Iewes Pagans infidells all former Heretikes Schismatikes and these Protestants themselues when they were most probable to speake truth and all Testimonies that can be deuised not only in this world but of God of Angells and glorified soules whose euidence cannot be vntrue of deuills and damned soules in hell condemned for their contempt or negligence thereof of soules in Purgatorie and whatsoeuer can be cited for witnesse in such cases as is most euident in this brief treatise In respect whereof your knowne Wisedomes in other matters cannot be wanting or transported herein with generall preiudice of our cause but obseruing your owne principles and abandoning all preiudice of opinion try the spirits if they be of God and proue all things houlding that which is good as S. Iohn saith in his 4. Chapt. To the reading therefore carefull examinatioÌ„ of this our Application do we humbly request you and that by the tender care had of your countrey by the deare respect of your saluation by your Christian zeale vnto true Religion by whatsoeuer else is sacred and holy Your poore Countryman M.E. A TABLE OF THE SEVERALL points handled in this treatise diuided in to 12 Sections as followeth The first Section THe lawe tearmes in generall perused in this Applicacation pag. 1. Sect. 2. A verdict consisting of twelue generall Councells all of them being within the first 400. odde yeares after our Sauiour Christ pag. 5. Sect. 3. The testimony of twelue lawfull credible witnesses pag. 14. Sect. 4. The Confession of twelue of the leardenest of the aduersary party pag. 25. Sect. 5. Of Priority of Possession pag. 41. Sect. 6. Of Prescription pag. 56. Sect. 7. Of Continuall Claime pag. 61. Sect. 8. Of the doubtfulnesse of the statute law pag. 69. Sect. 9. Of high courtes of Iudgment pag. 73. Sect. 10. Other Proofes pag 80. Sect. 11. A discouery of the contrary doctrine pag. 87. Sect. 12. The Conclusion pag. 92. FINIS
this my body c Albeit be sore the wordes of the Fathers did call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the symbole or figure of his body So plainly doth the 350. Bishops assembled in this Councell deliuer their sentence in our behalf You see Right honorable Reuerend Graue and Learned Lords the compleate number of our Iury at whom no exceptions can be taken euen the Doctors of your Church being Iudges they being all not only within the first 600. yeares in which time was no corruption in Religion according to the confession of many of our aduersaries heretofore alleadged but in the most florishing estate of the Church Of which time your chiefe man Caluine saith It was a matter out of all doubt that from the beginning euen vntill that time Lib. 4. Instit cap. 2. §. 2. viz to S. Austins daies nothing was changed in doctrine Also in his booke of Institutions in French printed at Geneua by Conradus Badius Anno 1562. he saith expresly That it was a thing notorious without doubt that after the Apostles age vntill those times no change was made in doctrine neither at Rome nor at other citties So plainely do our learned Aduersaries acknowledge that no change of faith was made by the Romane Church from the Apostles age vntill the time of S. Austin Epiphanius Optatus c. which was 440. yeares after Christ Mr. Fulke followeth his Maister Caluine in this pointe saying in his Retentine Pag 85. The Popish church is but an Hereticall assembly departed from the vniuersall church long since Augustines departure on t of this life This is the most common opinion of all Protestant writers And thus much with your good fauours concerning the application of your terme of law called Verdict which is the Triall of honest Iurors SECTION III. THE TESTAMENTI SECONDLY if you respect VVitnesses you shall find all the Ancient Fathers for our cause in so much that sundry of our learned Aduersaries doubt not therefore to make generall disclaime in the ancient Fathers Hence it is that Mr. Whitaker a Learned Protestant affirmeth cont Duraen p. 423. The Popish Religion to be a patched couerlett of the Fathers errors In libel vita I wely printed Londini pag 212. idâ—m Fulk in his petent pag 55. Stratag Satanae li. 6. pag. 296 sowed together And that also Mr. D. Humfrey did greuously reprehend Mr. Iewell for his so bould appealing to the Fathers affirming therefore of Mr. Iewell that herein he gaue the Papists to large a scope that he was iniurious to himself and after a manner spoiled himself the church And Iacobus Acontius in his Treatise dedicated to Queene Elizab. speaking of the bad successe that Protestants writers had in citing the Fathers exhorts them to for beare the citing of them saying Equidem perniciosissimam omninoque fugiendam hanc esse arbitror consuetudmem Certainly I hold this custome viz of c. to be very dangerous wholy to be auoyded viz of citing the Fathers to the writers disaduantage But for feare of suspicion of our VVitnesses we shall bring men so indifferent to our aduersaries vs that we may say of them as S. Aust in like case disputing against the Pelagians saith of the Fathers before his time August adu Iul. Pelag. lib. 2. prope finem lib. 3. cap. 17. lib. 4. cap 12. Neque nobis neque vobis irati sâ—nt c They be angrie neither at you nor at vs what they haue found in the Church that they haue held they haue taught what they haue learned and what they haue receaued from their Forefathers they haue deliured to posterity In so much as your owne learned writers are not wanting in their like answerable commendation Caluine speaking of them saith They indeed speaking of catholikes Caluin Instit lib. 4. cap. 2. Sect. 3. alleadging Antiquity sett forth their churches very gloriously c they report out of Irenaeus Tertullian Origen Augustin others how highly they esteemed this succession wherto he there answereth giueth his like reason therof saying considering it was a matter out of all doubt that from the beginning vntill that time nothing was chaÌ„ged in doctrine the holy Doctors tooke in argument that which was sufficient for the ouerthrowing of all new errors to witt that they viz the Heretiques oppugned the doctrine which euen froÌ„ the very Apostles themselues had beene inviolably with one consent retained And Mr. Iewell a famous Protestant in his replye to Mr. Harding pag. 266 saith The godly Fathers meaning them before S. Austins time sought to the church of Rome which then for puritie in Religion and constancie in thesame was most famous aboue all others this fore said time was the first 440 yeares after christ Therfore for the further satisfaction of our aduersaryes wee shall bring for witnesses euen them who liued within the fore said time viz. within before S. Augustin his time If need were we might bring for witnesses S. Andrew the Apostle In Epist ad Eccles Achaiae cap. 1. who in a booke made by himself and written by his disciples and generally receaued for authenticall by the whole Churche Christian world these wordes are recorded to haue beene spoken by himself I daylie sacrifice to Almighty God the immaculate lamb who notwithstanding that he is truely sacrificed and his flesh truely eaten by the people yet doth he still remayne whole liuing S. Clemens Epist 3 no priest ought to say mask without the Bishops leaue S. Martial Epist ad Burdegalensis cap. 3. A sacrifice is offered vpon the Altar is God the creator not to man or Angell Of the said S. clement there is mention made in the Apostle S. Paule his Epistle to the Philippi caâ— 4. vers 3. where he is numbred among the followers of S. Paul and who was third Pope after S. Peter who did write many things which he had oâ— verball tradition of the Apostles who liued about the yeare 80. The afore said S. Martiall was sent by Saint Peter into France who afterwards was Bish. of Limoge in France who liued in the yeare 50. of whom Baronius doth write Likewise may be alleaged the fiue liturgies or Masses of the Apostles In Mart. 30. Iun. Proclus de Tradit diuina The first of S. Peter in defence of which Willaim Lindane a learned Catholike writeth an Apologie The second of S Iames the greater alleaged by S. Proclus Patriarch of Constantinople who liued in the yeare 460 The third of S. Iames the lesser alleaged by the fore said proclus wherof mention is made likewise in the Councell of Trull in the yeare 680. The fourth the liturgie of S. Mathew which the Aethiopians do vse and is called in their language Corbon that is Missah in Hebrew and in Latin Oblatio of this Liturgy or terme of Masse writeth Genebrard Gen. in finc primia saeculi Vbi sup The fift is that of S. Mark vsed long time in
Tertullian amongst the other traditions of the Catholike Churche Lib. de Coron milit cap. 3. reports of the saying of masse or oblation at the end of the yeare for the Soules departed The which sentence is acknowledged by Mr. Fulk to be of Tertullian And in his booke de cultu faeminarum In his confut of purg pag. 362 he saith that a woman should not goe abrode vnlesse it be to visiâ—t the sicke heare the sermon or assiste in the Churche at masse The Ninth VVitnesse is S. Ambrose who liued in the yeare 3â—0 and whome the Century-writers do reiect Lib 4 cap 4 col 295 for his to much writing in fauor of the sacrifice of the masse Catholike Priesthood Amongst other of his sayings he confessed of himself that tumult being risen in the assembly where he was Ambro. lib. 5 Epist 3 yet he was not forgetfull of his office but did beginne the masse The eleuenth of our VVitnesses is S. Augustine Scoller to S. Ambrose he died in the yeare 430. he is plentifull in this other points of Catholike doctrine euen in the Iudgment of our Aduersaryes Chemnitâ—us in his ExaÌ„ part 3. pag. 3. he named the word masse in one of his Sermons saying lett no man be absent from the masse on sonday And againe he named the word masse in another Sermon saying these words which shal be read at the masse and else where August serm 51 de tempore Ser. 91. de tem Ser. 337. Vniustly therefore do our aduersaryes obiect against vs saying that S. August did neuer name the word masse And within S. Austins time the 2. Councell of Carthage in the 3. chap and the Mileuitan Councell cap. 12. doth name the word masse And before S. Austin S. Ambrose who liued anno 390. in his 5. book of Epistles Epist 33 S. Damasus Pope who liued about the yeare 384. in his book of the liues of the Popes And S. Macharius who liued about anno 319. in his decret de consecrat named the word masse S. Fabianus Pope in one of his Decrees who liued about the yeare 242. S. Sother Pope Martyr who liued about the yeare 171. in one of his Decrees which are extant Tom. Concil S. Pius Pope Anno 147 in one of his Decrees S. Higinus Pope Martyr Anno 144. in his Decree as Ino. lib. 2. testifieth S. Alexander Pope Martyr Anno 121. Epist 1 ad omnes Orthodoxos which is to be seene in the Councell of Tribury cap. 19. S. Clement third Pope after S. Peter Epist 3. Anno 111. S. Ignatius the Apostles Scoller Epist ad Smyrnenses All which holy men did name the word Masse properly and in that same sense that the Catholikes at this day do vse Yet for all this forsooth our Aduersaryes would make the world belieue that the word Masse is a word newly inuented not found in the primitiue Churche But they deale with vs in this as in many other things which must proceed either of malice or of grosse ignorance The twelfe of our VVitnesses is S. Hierome who liued in the same time that S. Austin did Ao. 430. He is generally holden of our Aduersaries to be for the Catholike Religion in this Epist ad Heliod other points He did reuerence respect holy Priesthood very much saying God forbid I should speake amisse of them who succeding doe consecrate with their mouth the body Cyrillus Catech Cyrillus Hieros catech 12. Gregor Nâ—ssen orat in muliereÌ„ peccat Ep ph Haeres 73. blood of Iesus Christ To these VVitnesses wee might adde infinite more if it were not tedious to your honors As S. Cyrill of Alexandria contemporaneo to S. Hieron S Cyrillus Hierosolymitanus Anno 320. S. Gregory of Nyssen Epiphanius Athanasius Anno 319. Optatus Anno 350. lib. 6. aduersus Haeres Athan. quaest 34. Right honorable Reuerend Graue and Learned these be our VVitnesses who did direct our fore said Iury in their Verdict at whom our Aduersaries can take no exception iustly seing they were men indifferent and not angrie neither at our Aduersaries not at vs and who be much esteemed of by the more aduised and sober Protestants chemint exam Concil Trid. part 1 pag. 74. who to vse their owne words doubt not but that the primitiue Churche reâ—eaued from the Apostles and Apostolicall men not only the text of Scripture but also the right and natiue sense therof And that we are greatly confirmed Confessio Bohemi pag. 400 in the true sound sense of Scripture by testimonies of the ancient Fathers And that they are the true and best Masters of posteritie going before leading vs the way and as Mr. Bancroft late Bishop of Canterb saith Bancr survey pag. 379. for Mr Caluin and Mr. Beza I doe thinke of them as their writings deserue but yet I thinke better of the ancient Fathers I must confesse SECTION IIII. The Confession of twelue of the learnedest of the Aduersarie parties THIRDLY if the parties owne Confession be of force as doubtles in all reason it is no lesse then Conuincing your Wisdomes shall heare the grauest of your Aduersaryes confirme by their ouwne Confession this point of doctrine for vs. 1. Caluine our Aduersaries prime man speaking of Irenaeus Tertullian Origen August and others how highly they esteemed the Church of Rome Inst lib 4 cap 2. §. 2. in respect of the Succession of the Romane Bishops answereth giueth his like reason there of saying Considering it was a matter out of all doubt that from the beginning euen vntill that time viz till S. Austins time nothing was changed in doctrine the holy doctors tooke in argument that which was sufficient for the ouerthrowing of all new errors viz that they viz the heretikes oppugned the doctrin which euen from the very Apostles themselues had beene inuiolably and with one consent retained Againe in his booke of Institutions set forth in French he saith expresly Instit in French printed at Genaua anno 1561. that it was a thing notorious without doubt that after the Apostles age vntill those times viz S. August his time no change was made in doctrine neither at Rome nor at other cittyes Now seeing aluine affirmeth that without all doubt there was no change of doctrine in the Church of Rome from the beginning that is from the Apostles times vntill S. Aug. his time which was for 400. and odd yeares after Christ it must follow in Caluins opinion that the doctrine we haue heretofore alleaged by the testimony of our Iury viz the Councells and witnesses viz the Fathers they being all both Iury and witnesses within the said first 400. and od yeares is pure doctrine inuiolably with one consent retained from the very Apostles themselues 2. BEZA Scoller to Caluin Confess Gen ca. 7. Sect. 12. saith that Leo who was Pope Anno Domini 440. did clearly breath forth the arrogancie of the Antichristian
in respect of the Blessed Sacrament which is by them offered to God vnder Christ the high Preeist and in his steed place as S. Ambrose S. Cypr. do affirme as the Churches externall and acceptable oblatiō Ambr. in 1. Tim. ca. 4.14 S. Cypr. li. 2 Ep. 3 acknowledged by learned Protestants to haue bene for such accordingly offered not only for these thousand yeares last past but also for so many other praecedent Ages For these last thousand yeares it is a generall opinion amongst Protestants Fol. 344. Mr. Beacon in his Treatise intituled The Reliques of Rome affirmeth saying The Masse was fully finished by Gregory the first about Anno 600 c. And from Charles the Greate vnto Charles the 5. the Masse raigned as a most mightie Queene in all the Churches of the west part of the world Melancth lib. 4. Fol. 186. Chronic. in Henr. 4 saith of S. Greg. that he allowed by publike authority the sacrifice of Christs Body Bloud not only for the liuing but also for the dead Thesame is affirmed by many other Protestante writers Before Gregorie was Pelagius whome Masculus loc com de Caena Domini pag. 336. And Mr. Simonds vpon the Reuel pag. 81. both of them being Protestante writers do directly charge with the opinion of the Masse helping the dead Symachus was Bishop of Rome Anno 501. of whome the Century-writers say Cent. 6. ca. 10. col 664. Fol. 27. Notas Antichristi hic habuit Missam enim in formam redigit Before him was S. Leo Anno 440. of whome Mr. Bale in his Pageant of Popes saith Leo the first allowed the sacrifice of the Masse c. Before Leo was the fourth and fift Councell of Carthage at which was present S. Augustine the one reproued by Pelargus in his Schola fidei for allowing prayer Pag. 13. Masse for the dead the other by Luke Osiander cent 4 pag. 16. for that in the 27. Canon of this fourth Councell mentiō was made of Prayers oblations for the dead Before these Councells was S. Ambrose Anno 370. whome the Cent. writers cent 4. ca. 4. col 295. Do charge with not writing well de Transubstantiatione applicatione pro mortuis Before him was Gregory Nissen of the Greeke Church Anno 340 whom Andraeas Crastonius in his booke against Bellarmine chargeth for allowing the Euchariste to be likewise a sacrifice Crasto de opificio Missae lib. 1. Sect 146. Also S. Cyrill of Hierusalem another Father of the Greekes florished Anno 320. Holpinianus chargeth him for his acknowledgment of Masse Hosp in Hist Sacram pag. 167. Prayer for the dead Before these times liued S. Cyprian Anno 240. of whome the Cent. writers do say cent 3. cap. 4. col 89. Sacerdotem vice Christi fungi in Coena Domini superstitiose asserit Cyprianus The same affirmeth Mr. Fulk against Sanders pag 100 Before him liued Tertullian Anno 220. whom Osiander cent 3. lib. 1. cap. 5. and Mr. Fulk in his Conf. of Purg. pa 265. do charge for allowing of Masse for the dead Before him was Irenaeus Anno 170. whom Caluine chargeth for affirming the sacrifice of Melchisedech to haue bene a figure of the sacrifice of the Masse Cal lib. de vera Eccl. refor Cent 2. cap. 4. col 63. Before him liued Ignatius the Apostles vndoubted Scoller Anno 90 whome the Cent. writers do charge for saying that it was not lawfull to offer or to sacrifice without a Bishop Lastly Mr. Beacon in his reliques of Rome being a great diuine amongst our Aduersaries affirmeth seriously saying Fol. 344. the Masse was begotten conceaued borne anon after the Apostles times if all be true that Historiographers do write This same saith Sebastianus Francus Heb Ep. de abrog stat Eccl. and Hospinianus in Hist Sacram. li. 1. ca. 6. pag. 20. affirmeth that in the very Apostles times this was the opinion of many men Now therefore may it vouch safe your wisedomes to consider duly this Priority of our possession and successiue continuance of this our Cath. doctrine deduced from the Apostles times euen our Enemies being Iudges And take heed of that saying of S. Aug. in no vet Test quaest no. Heretickes saith he do trouble breake the order of succeeding Bishops begunne by S. Petr. and brought downe by ofspring one Bishop succeeding another and so challenge vnto themselues a certaine order with out beginning SECTION VI. OF PRAESCRIPTION IF Praescription it self wherof no memory occurreth to the contrary be a matter of any importance with your honors Right graue Learned Iudges you shall then here finde our now professed Catholike Religion deduced from the Apostles times by your learned writers confessed Surely I perswade my selfe that if any one Baron Earle or Duke in England could shew but half of these yeares we can shew for the continuance and possession of any temporall state Lordship or land in England he would highly esteeme therof and therby make a glorious defence against any wrangling companion that should pretend thesame and depriue him therof if he should truely say proue as we do the cause of our Church neither were it credible that the Iudges of his cause should giue the definitiue against him But no man can prescribe any such time in temporall matters and therfore are they well called temporall for that they chāge in a litle time No Dukedome or Earledome continuing lightly 3. or 4. generations together in any one name or family as may be easily seene in Camdens story where he taketh vpon him to recount the Earles Dukes that had their states titles ouer such a shire But as for matters of Religion Almighty God hath giuen another manner of force vnto succession both of men faith as for example in the law of nature he made thesame to endure by only tradition without writing for more then 2500. yeares vnder the Ancient Patriarches before after the Flood of Noe. And afterward againe in the written lawe the iewes continued the possession of their religion by succession of Bishops and Ecclesiasticall Gouernors from Moyses vnto Christ aboue 1500. yeares not withstanding of all the varietie of times calamities And no lesse from Christ to our age hath he continued the same in a much more gratious sorte manner notwithstanding so many mutations both in the Romane Empire all other Realmes Kingdomes yet euer hath succession of Pastours vnion of faith remained First therfore our aduersaries will not sticke vpon the first 100. yeares which reached to S. Gregories time but will graunt vnto vs that the Masse Catholike Priesthood was a generall doctrine throughout the whole world Pow. Pag 105. So Mr. Powell in his considerations of the Papish reasons I grant saith he that from the yeare of Christ 605. the professant company of popery hath bene very visible perspicuous Perk. pa. 307. Mr. Perkins in his
first preached against And Mr. D. Field of the Church answereth our demaund in this manner saying Pag. 8◠The errours of the Church of Rome were so brought in that both they that were the Authors of them others that neuer fell into them were of one Communion and therefore it is most absurd to require vs to shew these circumstances viz concerning any beginning of our Catholike doctrine since the Apostles times But I appeale to your honors graue Iudgments if the answer of this diuine be not more absurd then the demaund But such euasorie arguments as these be all we can gett of our Aduersaries Hier. 33.18 The Prophet Hieremie speaking of the Pastors of Gods Church saith that they shal be multiplied to minister vnto him not with interrupted seasōs but continually euen as the Prophet Isay saith from month to month Isa 66.21 Dan. 2.44 from Sabaoth to Sabaoth neither saith Daniell shall this kingdome of the Church be giuen ouer to another people but shall stand for euer Isay 60. Againe Isay saith in plaine termes that Kings shall minister vnto the Church her grates shal be continually open neither day nor night shall they be shutt that men may bring to her the riches of the Gentiles Hence it is that one of your writers confesseth The saying of one of their late writers that if our faith hath bene interrupted quoth he since Christs time so much as one yeare month or day-were sufficient to proue vs no part of the Church of God so Mr. VVhite in his booke the way to the true Church pag. 86. Matth. 16. The like promises are mentioned in the new Testament Vpon this Rocke saith our Sauiour will I build my Church and hell gates shall not preuaile against it Againe Lo I am with you euen to the consummation of the world And S. Paul Matth. vlt. speaking of the priuiledges granted to the Church saith He gaue some Apostles and some Prophets Eph. 4. and other some Euangelistes and other some Pastors and Doctors to the consummation of the Saints vnto the worke of the ministrie vnto the edifying of the body of Christ vntill we meete all vnto the vnity of faith knowledge of the loue of God into a perfect man into the measure of the age of the fulnesse of Christ That is according to all Expositors euen Protestants Cal. Inst ca. 8. Melan. in loc com Fulk against the Rhem. Testam vnto the worlds end But those ministeriall offices of Pastors and Doctors c. cannot be exercised where the Pastors know not their sheepe nor the sheepe their Pastors which could not be when the Church was inuisible withdrawne from open assemblies to the harts of particular godly men for the space of 1260. yeares as Mr. Napper affirmeth on the reuel pag. 161. Neither can it be said which D. Field in his foresaid Answer affirmeth that they who where of the true Church and they that were not were of one Communion seing that no man can be saued that inwardly houldeth one Religion and onwardly professeth another as our Sauiour teacheth Math. 10 and the Apost Rom. 10. For so Mr. D. Field will haue mē to be in the true Church yet not be saued Which implieth a flat contradiction and so he imagines absurdities in other mens sayings but he seeth not the contradictions in his owne If S. Austine were aliue he would deale in no better termes with these our aduersaries then he did disputing against the Donatists for maintaining of a pretended inuisible Church these be his wordes Aug. in Psa 101. Belike saith he that Church which was the Church of all Nations is now no more she is gone she is lost this say they that are not in her ô impudent speech she is not because you are not in her take heed least thou thy self be not therefore for she shal be though thou be not And then doth he bring in the Church speaking thus How long time shall I be in this world Tell me for their sakes that say there hath bene a Church but now there is none she is become Apostata she is banished away from all nations It was shewed me Who shewed me euen the way himself When Lo I am with you euen to the consummation of the world Neither can it be said that S. Austine speaketh of a Church inuisible for that neuer to haue perished the Donatists did willingly admit as here also he testifieth What other argument I pray you did Luther vse against the Iewes to proue that the Messias was come but that these promises of the Prophets were fulfilled not in their Sinagogs which were for so long time together scattered these be Luthers wordes Quomodo hoc quadrabit Luther lib. de Iudae is Tom. 7. printed at Wittemb legem ipsorum esse duraturam in aeternum cum iam annis plus 1500. sacerdotium templum cultus omnia deleta funditus euersa iaceant supra modum vehementer ridiculum est quod nos Gentes Iudaei persuadere volunt ad suam inter-mortuam absoletam legem quae nunc per annos 1500 antiquata abolita est c. Was not this pretended latencie and Inuisibility cause of the reuolt of sundry of the learnedest men among our aduersaries Bernardine Ochine whom all Italy could not match for learning Cal. lib. de scād as Caluine saith hauing entred but into examination of this forsaid scruple began here vpon to stagger become perplexed saying When I did consider how Christ by his power wisdome Bern. Ochin in praef suorum Dialog and goodnes had founded estabished his Church washed it with his bloud enriched it with his spirit and againe I had discerned how the same was vtterly ouer throwne I could not but wonder and being desirous to know the cause I found there had bene Popes In so much as hee proceeded from this conceipt of the Popes preuailing further to teach Circumcision and Poligamie in defence of the which last point he wrote a booke in Italian In hist Georgij Dauid is printed at Anno 1568. Dauid George the Hollander considering the promises made by God himself of the continuance of his Church not fulfilled in the Protestants Church became a blasphemours Apostata affirming our B. Sauiour to be a seducer saying If the doctrine of Christ his Apostles had bene true perfect the Church which they planted c. should haue continued c. The like befell vnto Sebastian Castalion a learned Caluinist Castal in the preface to his Latin Bible who staggering in his Religion fell to doubtfull searches of our Christian Faith Neither is England wanting examples of diuers Professours who haue in the end denied the diuinitie of Christ whereof in Q. Elizabeths time two were burned at Norwich Rogers of the Church of England pag. 9. By these examples your VVisedomes may easily perceiue the inueterate and more then
by S. Austine Epist 86. Aug. and that in a very proper sense to sacrifice Christs body vpon and so called of them in respect of the said body sacrificed Fourtly this is euident by the institution of the Euchariste it selfe for Christ commanded his Apostles in them there Successours to do the same which he did But he did truely sacrifice as performing the office of a Priest according to the order of Melchised King of Salem who offered vp bread and wine Therefore necessary it was that Christ should institute an vnbloudy sacrifice vnder the formes of bread wine and that to continue in his Church vntill the worlds end because he otherwise could not be truely said to be a Priest for euer for Priest Sacrifice cannot be asunder Neither is he Priest that hath no Sacrifice to offer vp as S. Paul saith Heb. 5.8 and seing the sacrifice of the Crosse was to be performed as once and cannot be againe repeated it must follow consequently that there is in the Church some other sacrifice which Christ the high Priest may be said to offer by his Ministers for euer which can be no other then the Sacrifice of the Masse once offered vp by himself instituting the Euchariste and now by his Ministers Fiftly seing the figures of the old testament as the Paschall Lambe the bloud of the Testament generally all the sacrifice of the old law were according to the vniforme doctrine of all the ancient Fathers signes and figures of the Euchariste But they were truely Sacrifices therefore the Euchariste no lesse otherwise it should follow the figures to haue bene more perfect then the things figured Sixtly Act. 4. If Miracles in all ages haue bene of great force to confirme true doctrine as we may see in our Sauiour in his Apostles so that S. Aug. Aug. cont ep Manich. cap. 4 lib. 8. de Ciuit. Dei placeth thesame among these things which most iustly held him in the Churches besome Then who will but read the Fathers shall find them plentifull euen in Miracles wrought in confirmation of the Sacrifice of the Masse S. Austine reporteth of his owne time and countrey Aug. de Cant. Dei lib. 22. cap. 8. how that one Hesperius hauing his house infested with wicked Spirites to the affliction of his beasts seruāts desired saith S. Austine in my absence certaine of our Priestes that some would go thither c. one went and offered there saith he the Sacrificie of the body of Christ praying what he might that the vexation the might cease God being therupon mercifull it ceased Chrys Greg. In like manner S. Chrysostome lib. 6. Sacerd. S. Gregorij lib. 4. Mor. and S. Bede hist lib. 4. cap. 22. do report sundry miracles to this same effect Seauently reason nature do confirme this For Religion Sacrifice are so conioyned together that the one cannot be without the other for neuer was there yet any nation in the world that had not some kinde of Religion and worhipping and that did not thinke Sacrifice necessary to the worship of God seing Sacrifice is the highest externall worship that can be exhibited by man to God for things are more excellēt then wordes specially whose substance is consumed vpon Gods honor But certainly the vniuersall consent of all nations proceedeth from the instinct of nature Lastly the more sober and learned sort of our aduersaries do afford to vs Catholikes the hopefull promises of saluation affirming this to be the iudgment of all learned Protestants as D. Some affirmeth in his defence against Penry the Puritane pag. 176. D. Som. Couell This same auerreth Mr. Couell in his defence of Mr. Hooker pag 68. accusing his brethren that affirme the contrary Cassander of ignorant zeale Georg. Cassander lib. de officio pij viri pag. 14. saith The Church of Rome is to be reuerenced as being the true Church and temple of God Hooker Mr. Hooker lib. 5. pag. 188. saith in his Eccl. Policij that the Church of Rome is to be reputed a part of the house of God a limme of the visible Church of Christ c. So saith Mr. Bunney in his Treatise tending to pacification sect 8. pag 109. Bunney Baro. Morton So Mr. Baro in one of his sermons serm 3. So Mr. Morton in his Treatise of the kingdome of Israel of the Church pag. 94. So Mr. Field in his Treatise of the Church lib. 3. cap. 46. And Mr. Couell in his treatise published by authority dedicated to the Lo. Arch. of Canterbury defended this opinion at large and concludeth saying VVee affirme them of the Church of Rome to be parts of the Church of Christ and that those that liue and die in that Church may not withstanding be saued SECTION XI A DISCOVERY OF CONTRARY doctrine THIS then Right honorable Reuerend Graue and learned being our confessed Religion Catholike doctrine thus made so euidēt by so many conuincing arguments irrefragable proofes I am now likewise most humbly to intreate you not to seeme offensiue or tedious if also I make bould to put your Wisedomes in remembrance by what instinct this soo generally confirmed receaued continued doctrine of the Masse it selfe become as now to you so odious to vs by your lawes so penall hath bene now of late so impugned traduced The principall man most notorious was an Apostata Monke Martin Luther Luther Whitak in resp ad rat Campi Iewell in his def pag. 426. Alberus contra Carolstadianos Powell in his cōsiderations Luther tom 7. Wittēb an 1558. lib. de Missa priuata fol. 443 whome Protestants reuerence and name their Father and a most excellēt man sent of God to lighten the whole world and whome the Lutherans gloriously vaunt to haue bene the first that impugned the Masse Mr. Powell a Protestant writer termeth him holy S. Luther But by what instinction or genius from what ground worke I pray you it was which so directed Luther to impugne the Masse not by any other but by the suggestion and perswasion of Sathan with whose affrighting and apparitions he had bene infested from his youth For it chanced that vpon a certaine time as himself reporteth the matter he was sodainly awaked about midnight then saith he Sathan began this disputation with me saying Hearken right learned Doctor Luther thou hast celebrated priuate Masse the space of 15. yeares c. And so the Deuill with arguments which Luther himself there at large setteth downe endeauoring to dissuade Luther any more to say Masse but as yet Luther standing in defence therof iustifying to the Deuill his saying of Masse Tom. 7. Wittēb of anno 1558 fol. 229. But saith Luther Sathan replied more vehemently c. Thervpon in the end Luther yeldeth and embraceth the doctrine so deliuered by Sathan ther vpon now altogether abandoneth the Masse This is confessedly defended euen by Luthers dearest Scollers