OF FAITH AND OF THE CREED 1 Who is to be called a (a) Act. 11 26. 1. Pet. 4 16. Christian HEE which doeth professe the holesome doctrine of Iesus Christ true God and man in his (b) Athanas contr Arrianos orat 2. Cypr. lib. 4. ep 2. de simp praelat Ignat. ad Magnes Aug. tract 113. in Ioa. ser 181. de temp ca. 12. Ench. cap. 5. Tert. lib. de praescript Church He therefore which is a true Christian doth vtterly condemne and detest all other Religions and Sectes that are else-where to be found in any Nation or cuntrey out of the doctrine Church of Christ as the Iewishe Heathenishe Turkishe or hereticall Secte And doth firmely staie himselfe in the very Doctrine of Christ 2 In what briefe summe may Christian Doctrine be comprehended THat a Christian do know obserue those things which do belong both to (a) Ecli 1 3◠wisedom Iustice Wisedome as S. Austen (b) Lib. 2. Retract cap. 63. Ench. cap. 2. 3. sheweth consisteth in the vertues Theological (c) 1. Cor. 13 13. Faith Hope Charitie which are both infused by God (c) 1. Cor. 13 13. beeing purely most feruently practised in this life they doe make men blessed diuine Iustice standeth in (d) Pros sen 98. ex Aug. two parts in declining frō euil doing good For hereūto belongeth that which the kingly Prophet saith (e) Psal 33 15. 36 27 1. Pet. 3 10. Turne from euill doe good Now out of these fountains to wit Wisedome and Iustice other things are easily drawē deduced whatsoeuer do appertaine to Christian Instruction Ro. 10 14. Heb. 11 6. Aug. serm 38. de temp sermo 1. de verbis Apost cap. 4. Leo. ser 4. de nat Dom. and Discipline 3 What is first taught in Christian Doctrine FAith that very gate entrāce to our saluation without the which none in this life can find cal vpō serue please almighty god For he that cōmeth to god must beleue (a) He. 11 6. saith the Apostle And (b) Mar. 16 16. he that beleeueth not shal be condemned is (c) Io. 3 18. already Iudged by the sentence of Christ 4 What is vnderstoode by the name of Faith A (a) Eph. 2 8. Heb. 11 1. Basil ser de fidei conf Ber. ep 190. Aug. cont ep sund c. 5. gifte of God and a light wherewith man beeing illuminated doth firmely assent cleaue vnto those things which are reuealed by God proposed vnto vs by the Church to be beleeued As are these that followe That God is (b) 1. Io. 5 7. one in three persons that the world was (c) Gen. 1 1. Io. 1 14. Luc. 2 7. Rom. 3 8. created of nothing that god was made mā suffered death for our sakes that MARY (d) Conc. Eph. cap. 13. Luc. 1 35. 1. Cor. 15 51. Io. 3 5. is both a Virgine the mother of God that all the deade are to be raised againe to life that man is borne againe of Water and the holie Ghost that Christ is wholly in the (e) Conc. Constantie Flor. Trid. B. Sacrament and other such of like sorte that are the reuerend mysteries of our religion which being reuealed by God cannot be comprehended by mans (f) Eccli 3 22. 2. Cor. 10 5. capacity but maie be conceiued onlie by faith Whereupō the Prophet saith (g) Esa 7 9. secundū 70. Basil in Psa 115. in moral Reg. 80. cap. 21. Greg. ho. 26. in Euang. Chrys in 1. ad Cor. homil 4. Vnlesse ye will beleeue yee shall not vnderstand For faith respecteth not the order of nature neither doth shee trust to experience of senses or relie vpon the might or reason of man but vpon the power authority of God holding this as a most vndoubted verity that the most soueraigne eternal trueth which is God cā neither deceiue nor euer be deceiued Wherfore it is the very cōdition property of faith to bring all vnderstanding into (h) 2. Cor. 10 5. captiuitie vnto the obedience of Christ with whom there is no (i) Lu. 1 37. Hier. 32 27. worde that is hard to be done much lesse impossible This (k) Euseb Emis ho. 2. de symb Cyr. catech 5. Illum Chrys serm de fide spe charit Cyril lib. 4. in Ioa. ca. 9. faith is the light of the soule the dore or entrance to life the foundation of eternal saluation 5 Is there any brief cōprehēsion of Faith and summe of all those thinges that we must beleeue There is that which the twelue Apostles haue deliuered in their Creed and which they haue aptely distinguished into twelue Sections and Articles A worke doubtlesse worthy of such (a) Clem. ep 1. ad sr Do. Amb. ep 81. serm 38. Aug. serm 181. de tēp Ruf. in sym Iren. lib. 1. c. 2. l. 3. c. 4. Hieron ad Pammach aduers errores Ioā Hieros cap. 9. Leo. ser 11. de pass ep 13. ad Pulc ser cont Eutyc Maxim ser de traditione symb The Creede is expoūded by these Authors following Cyril in Catech illum Chrys ho. 1. 2. in sym Aug in Enc. ad Laurent in lib. 4. de symb ad Catech. lib. de sid symb ser 115. 119. 123. 125. 131. 181. 192. 193. 194. de tēp Euseb Emi. ho. 1. 2. in symb Chrysol ser 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. Max. ho. 1. de diuersis authors which next vnto Christ our Lord were the principall and most holy founders of the Christian faith And this Creed surely is as it were a plaine euident marke whereby christians are to be distinguished discerned from those wicked persons which doe professe either none at all or not the right faith of Christ 6 Which be the Articles of this Creede I Beleeue in God the Father Almighty maker of Heauen earth 2 And in IESVS CHRIST his onely Sonne our Lorde 3 Which was conceived by the holie Ghost borne of the VIRGINE MARY 4 Suffered vnder PONTIVS PILATE was crucified dead buried 5 He descended into hell the third day he rose againe from the dead 6 Hee ascended into Heauen and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almightie 7 From thence he shal come to iudge the quicke and the deade 8 I beleeue in the Holy Ghost 9 The holy Catholicke Church the communion of Saints 10 The forgiuenesse of sinnes 11 The resurrection of the fleshe 12 And the life euerlasting Amen 7 To what end specially are these wordes of the Creede TO this end surely Hier. 9 23. Io. 17 3. 1. Cor. 2 2. 1. Pet. 1 8. cap. 13 1. that we may haue comprehended in a briefe summe the true knowledge of god of heauenly things which knowledge truly is necessary to euery mā that he may liue wel happily And in this Creed the acknowledging confessing
of the most holy Trinity hath the first principal place that it may in no wise be doubted but that God than whoÌ„ nothing more mighty (a) Aug. l. 1. conf cap. 4. or better or wiser can bee imagined is one and simple in essence or diuine nature but is distinguished into three (b) Aug. l. de fid symb cap. 9. persons so that before all thinges it bee vndoutedly beleeued that one is the (c) Mat. 28 19. Athan. in symb Father another is the Sonne an other is the holy Ghost The Father is he which begetteth his Sonne (d) Ps 109 3 Heb. 1 2. 1 Io. 4 10.14 from al eternity the fountaine and framer of thinges The Sonne being begotten of the substance of the Father is the Redeemer Sauiour of the worlde The holy Ghoste which is also called the (e) Io. 15 26. 16 7. 14 16 26. Paraclet is the gouernor of the Church or of Christs faithful people Now these (f) 1. Io. 5 7. 1. Tim. 1 17 6 15. Hier. 32 17. three are one That is to say one True Eternall Infinite incomprehensible God Therefore to this most holy indiuisible Trinity three principall partes of the Creed do very fitly answer To wit the first of CreatioÌ„ the secoÌ„d of RedeÌ„ption Deut. 6 4. Mat. 6 9. 1. Tim. 1 17 Gen. 1 1. Esa 53 1. Iob. 37 3.23 Eccl. 3 11. Luk. 1 37. Hier. 32 17. the third of SanctificatioÌ„ 8 What is the sense and meaning of the first Article of the Creede I beleeue in God the Father IT doth first of all shewe vs one God the first person in the godhead to bee the heauenly Father eternal most soueraigne in might and maiesty to whom nothing is impossible or hard to be done who hath al (a) â—a 16 13. 1. Reg. 2 6. power of life of death This God the Father begot the Sonne (b) Psal 2 â— Heb. 1 2. Rom. 8 14. froÌ„ all eternity in this time of grace hee made vs also his children by adoption His power is so great that with his only (c) Ps 32 6. Col. 1 16. Mat. 6 26. Heb. 13 5. 1. Tim. 4 10 6 15. Ro. 11 36. word hee made aswell visible as inuisible things of nothing being so made doth from time to time preserue gouerne them with most high and supreme goodnesse and wisedome froÌ„ whom to whom are al things Hee is the (d) Iac. 1 17. 2. Cor. 1 3. Act. 14 14. Father of light with whom there is no change or alteration the Father of mercies God of al consolation finally such a one and so puissaunt that all thinges in heauen in earth vnder the earth do presently obay at his (e) Lu. 12 5. Gen 17 2. Psal 26 1. 90 1. 124 1. Iob. 41 1. 1. Co. 10 13 Eccli 33 1. 1. Io. 5 20. Luc. 1 32. 2 10. Mat. 1 21. Esa 9 6. 61 1. Luc. 4 18. Ps 44 8. 88 21. Act. 4 27. 10 38. 1. Reg. 10 1. 16 13. becke who being our guide protector we are preserued safe harmelesse eueÌ„ in the greatest euils dangers 9 What hath the second Article I beleue in IESVS CHRIST IT doth shewe the second person in Deity IESVS CHRIST very God very man called surely by the name of IESVS that is to saie the Sauiour of his people And CHRIST to witte annointed by the holy Ghost and (a) Io. 1 14. Ap. 17 14. 19 16. Heb 3 1. 5 5. 1. Pet. 2 25. Col. 1 18. 2 9. full of all grace and trueth our Messias King high Priest that holdeth the principallity soueraignty in al things and in whom doth corporally in habite the whole fulnesse of the Godheade Furthermore it doth shewe him to (b) Eph. 1 3. Io. 10 36. Heb 1 1. Ap. 1 17. Mat 28 18. Dan. 7 2. Phil. 2 6. be the onely Sonne of God born of his Father begotten before all worldes natural consubstantial and altogether equall vnto him according to the Godhead Also our Lord Lord of al those that beleue in him as hauing himselfe of his owne accord deliuered vs when we were (c) Luc. 15 6.24 Rom. 8 1. 1. Cor. 6 20. 1. Pet. 1 19. lost out of the bondage thraledome of Sathan and most liberally redeemed vs being subiecte to the yoke of sinne damnation He also hath dominion ouer the wicked For al things are made subiect vnder his (d) Ps 8 7. Rom. 14 9. feet But then he will openly shewe himselfe Lorde of (e) Ap. 19 16. 17 14 Lords king of kings both to the wicked and to the (f) Mat. 25 30. 1. Cor. 15 24. Ps 109 1. whole worlde when he shall bring in subiection al euery his enemies whether they wil or no and shall burne them as chaffe in (g) Luc. 3 17.22 Mat. 3 12.17 Luc 20 13. Mat. 17 5. Esa 7 14. vnquenchable fire This is that beloued Sonne this is our Emanuell master whoÌ„ we must heare neither is there anie other name vnder heauen (h) Act. 4 12 giueÌ„ vnto meÌ„ wherin we must be saued 10 What is set before vs to beleeue in the third Article Conceiued by the holy Ghost Mich. 5 2. Ioh. 1 1. 16 28. Esa 53 8. Io. 6 39.46 51. IT doth testifie vnto vs that the same Lord that was begotteÌ„ euen from al eternity of God the Father without a Mother for our sakes descended from heauen and toke vpon him the (a) Gal. 4 4. Rom. 1 3. Mat. 1 18.20 Luc. 1 26. 2 1. Esa 7 1. Hier. 31 22. nature of man in which hee was temporally conceiued in Nazareth in Bethelem vnder the Emperour AVGVSTVS born without a Father of the most pure vndefiled Virgin the power of the holy Ghost thus working in her so that which exceedeth all admiration the woorde was made (b) Conc. Eph. cap. 13. fleshe God became man MARY was both the mother of God and a (c) Hieron in Helu Amb. ep 81. Ezech. 44 2. Virgin This temporall conception and generation of the Sonne of God doeth containe the (d) Ioh. 3 5. 1. Pet. 2 1. 3 21. Heb. 2 3. 7 25. Tit. 3 5. originall of mans Saluation Redemption it is the forme of our regeneration whereby it commeth to passe that we the cursed children of ADAM being (e) Iob. 14 4 Ephes 2 3. Rom. 6 3. 8 1.12 conceiued of an vnclean feede and borne the children of wrath are purified made cleane also that of carnall wee are made spirituall and the very sonnes of God in Christ to whom the eternall Father woulde haue the electe to bee made conformable That hee myght bee as saith (f) Ro. 8 29. S. PAVL the first borne in many breethren 11 What doth the fourth Article
de doc Chr. c. 37. 40. l. 3. c. 10. in praef Ps 31. purity cleannes of conscience which must euer (d) 2. Cor. 1 7. Heb. 3 6. 10 34. 1. Io. 3 3. Col. 1 21. 2. Pet. 1 10. shew it selfe by good workes inuincible patience in all aduersitye For they that wante the testimony of a good conscience or haue not a purpose to amend their life they I saye haue not that hope which they shoulde but do rather rashlie vaunt of (e) 2. Pet. 2 18. Eccli 5 4.6 Greg. 33. mor. c. 15. praesumption and a very vaine and vnfruitfull coÌ„fidence how-soeuer they boaste of Gods grace and of the merites of Christ Hope in our Lorde sayth the (f) Ps 36 3. Prophet and do goodnesse againe Be thou subiect to our Lord and pray to him And an other Prophet (g) Thren 3 25. Our Lord is good to those that hope in him to the soule that seeketh him And that this hope must not be al-together (h) Greg. l. 6. ep 22. ad GregoriaÌ„ Ber. de Fest Magdal voyde of feare it appeareth by this place of the psalme Our Lord (i) Ps 146.11 is wel pleased ouer theÌ„ that feare him in theÌ„ that hope trust in his mercy 3 What good thinges are those which a Christian must hope for FIrst and specially those good (a) Tit. 2 13. 3 7. thinges of the Kingdome of heauen which do make men blessed happy and exempteth them from all manner of miserie Then all such things as (b) Heb. 4 16 Aug. in Enc. cap. 114. seruing for the necessarie vses of mortall men in this life are rightly desired prayed for at Gods hands ought to be reputed in the number of those good thinges which are to be hoped for and expected All which are specially expressed in our Lordes prayer as which Christ our Lorde with his owne most sacred (c) Mat. 6 9. Luc. 11 2. mouth deliuered with wonderfull wisdome prescribed to all those that would gladly by prayer lay opeÌ„ their hope and good desires befote All. God 4 What is the forme of our Lords prayer THis that followeth The Pater noster is expounded by these Tert. Nysen l. de ora Cypr. ser 6. de or Dom. Cyr. cat mys 5. Chry. ho. de or Dom. in cap. 6. Mat. HieroÌ„ Theop. Eut. in Mat. Ambr. lib. 5. de Sacr. cap. 4. Aug. ep 121. ad Probam c. 11. l. 2. de ser Do. c. 4. seq ho. 42. ex 50. ser 126. 135. 182. de temp ser 9. ex diu Chrysol ser 67. seq Innoc. 3. lib. de Myst Missae c. 17. seq Petrus Laod. German Patriarcha Const Cassia coll 9. c. 18. sequ Our Father which art in heauen 1 Hallowed be thy name 2 Thy Kingdome come 3 Thy will be donne in earth as it is in heauen 4 Giue vs this day our dayly bread 5 And forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. 6 And lead vs not into temptation 7 But deliuer vs from euill Amen 5 What is the suÌ„me of our Lords prayer THere are (a) Aug. in Ench. c. 115 l. 2. de ser Dom. c. 10. seuen petitions therin conteyned vnto which all manners and formes of prayers (b) Aug. ep 121. ad Probam c. 12. what-soeuer may and ought to be referred whether we treate with al-mightie God for the obtaining of some good things or for the wiping away of sinne or for the turning away of any euill whatsoeuer And in the three first petitions those thiÌ„gs are in order demanded which are properly aeternal euerlasting in the fower others we do aske euen temporal things as being necessary for vs to the getting of the aeternal 6 What is ment by the beginning of this prayer Our father which art c. Ex. 15 11. Esa 42 5. 63 15. Mal. 1 6. 2. Cor. 1 3. Phil. 4 20. Ap. 4 10. Ro. 8 15. Gal. 4 5. 1. Pet. 3 22. Leo. ser 6. nat Do. IT is a little preface and it putteth vs in minde of that great inaestimable benefite wherby God the Father that eternall maiestie raigning most happily in heauen receiued vs into his fauour for Christ his Sonnes sake adopted vs by the holy Ghost to be his soÌ„nes heires vnto his heauenly Kingdome And this remeÌ„brance of so great benefites doth not only stirr vp (a) Cypr. in ser de or do attentioÌ„ but prouoke also the soÌ„nes to render loue againe to their father and to obay him it doth in like maner encourage theÌ„ to pray afford theÌ„ (b) Luc. 11 11. Iac. 1 6. confidence to obtaine 7 What is the sense of the first Petition Hallowed be thy name VVE desire that aswell in our selues as in all others Mat. 5 17. 1. Pet. 2 12. 4 11. 1. Cor. 10 31. Col. 3 17. Ro. 15 6. Eccli 36 1. that may alwaies be preferred aduanced which standeth most with the glory and honor of our Soueraigne and most excellent Father And this indeede wee doe performe when the confession of the true faith hope and charity holy couersation (a) Luc. 1 72. 1. Pet. 1 15. 3 16. Phil. 2 15. of Christian life do shewe forth their light and force in vs that (b) Mat. 5. 17. others also beholding the same may take occasion to glorifie our Father 8 What is contained in the second Petition Thy kingdome come VVE do aske that God by his grace iustice Mat. 6 33. Ro. 14 17. Ps 22 1. 79 2. Luc. 1 33. 17 20. 1. Cor. 3 16 4 20. Eph. 1 18.23 Mat. 13 41 1. Co. 15 24 Col. 1.13 Ps 67 2. may raign in his Church yea in the whole world all aduersary powers euill affections beeing once abandoned rooted out Then we do wishe and pray that being once called out of this world as out of a troublesome (a) Phil. 1 23. Heb. 11 13. 1. Pet. 2 11. Iob. 7 1. 2. Cor 5 6. Sap. 5 16. Apoc. 22 4. Mat. 8 11. pilgrimage and warfare we may be speedily transported into the kingdome of glory and euerlasting felicity to raigne with Christ and his Saintes for euer 9 What importeth the third Petition Thy will be done VVE doe wishe in this petition Ps 102 20. Ro. 1 10. Act. 9 6. 21 14. Deut. 12 8 Heb. 13 21. Iâ—c 4 15. Luc. 22 42. 1. Pet. 4 2 Act. 5 29. Iob. 1 21. 1. Pet. 5 6. that as the Angels and blessed Saints in heauen so we also vpon earth though weake and of small force may exhibite vnto Almighty God exacte obedience desiring or coueting nothing so much as that we may willingly submit our selues to the will of God both in prosperity aduersity renouncing our owne wil which is prone (a) Gen. 8 21. Mat. 26 41
Bern. ser 3. de resur vnto euil we may rest and settle our mindes in the (b) Io. 4 34 5 30. 6 38. 1. Reg. 3 18. wil of God 10 What hath the fourth Petition Giue vs this day our daily bread VVE doe like poore folkes beggers craue of the author and fountaine of al goodnesse Iac. 1 5.17 Psal 39 18. Deut. 10 18 Gen. 28 20. 1 Tim. 6 8. Pro. 30 8. Ps 144 15. those thinges that bee sufficient for the daily maintenance of our corporal life to wit food cloathing also those thinges that doe serue to a better the life of the soule as the (a) Mat. 4 4. Am. 8 11. Eccli 15 3. Pro. 9 5. word of God the spiritual food of the soule the most holy (b) Mat. 26.26 6 11 Io. 6 51. Hier. in c. 6. Mat. Cypr. in ser de cr Do. Amb. l. 5. de Sacr. c. 4. Aug. l. 2. de ser Do. in mont c. 7. Thren 4 8. 1. Cor. 10 6 Leu. 26 14. Num. 5 6. 20. Exo. 32 27. Luc. 7 47. Tob. 12 10. Sap. 16 14. Ps 50 3.4.9.11 and B. Sacrament of the Altar that heauenly breade and other most holesome Sacraments and gifts of God which doe feede cure and confirme the inwarde man to a wel ordered happie kinde of life 11 How is the fifth Petition vnderstood Forgiue vs our trespasses IN this wee craue that God will mercifully purge vs from the spot of sinne which aboue all thinges is most foule and pestilent vnto the soule and that he will also remitte those verie debts which wee haue contracted by sinning And least our praier should not be auaileable by reason that we are euill affected towardes our neighbour we adde this besides that all secret hate (a) Ro. 12 17.19 Col. 3 12. Luc. 23 34. Act. 7 60 Mar. 11 25. Eph. 4 32. desire of reuenge being laide aside wee are at attonement with our neighbour haue forgiuen euery one that hath offended vs euen from the bottome of our heartes For this is that which Christ signified in an other place when he said (b) Lu. 6 37. Forgiue yee shal be forgiuen And againe (c) Mat. 6 14. 18 22 33. Eccli 22 1. Aug. in Enc cap. 74. If you will not forgiue men neither will your Father forgiue you your offences 12 What is the sense of the sixth Petitiō Lead vs not into temptation BEcause this present life is a very warfare vpon earth Iob. 7 1. Iudith 8 2◠Tob. 3 21. 12 13. Mat. 4 1. 26 41. Heb. 2 18. 2. Thes 3 3. 1. Io. 2 14 16. 5 4. Mat. 16 24. 1 Cor. 9 25.27 10 12. Iac. 4 4. 1 12. 1. Pet. 5 8.10 2. Pet. 2 9. Eph. 6 11. Col. 3 5. Apoc. 2 7.10.11.17.26 2. Tim. 4 7. whilest we are al-waies assaulted with diuers temptations and in an hard continuall conflict with the world the flesh and the deuill therfore being deuoutly carefull of our owne estate we sue for helpe at the hands of almightie God that we do not yeeld to such assaultes of our aduersaries and by yeelding incurr damnation but that standing al-waies in this continuall combate relieng vpon the mighte and hand of God we may valiantly resiste the power of the deuill haue the world in contempte chastice the fleshe and so finallye as inuincible souldiers of Christ be crowned after the victory for (a) 2. Tim. 2 3. no man is crowned as witnesseth the Apostle vnlesse he striue lawfully 13 What is in the seuenth and last petition deliuer vs from euill VVE pray at the last that God will not suffer vs to be ouer-throwne ◠Reg. 8 33. Pro. 10 25.28.30 Eccli 23.4 Hier. 2 14. Tob. 1 22. 2 10. Eccli 27 1.4.6 Ap. 3 10. Ps 24 15. 30 3.5.8.9.16 33 5.7.8.18 cast away with the wicked by the calamities of this worlde wherwith euen the Godly also are exercised but that by his benignitye he deliuer vs so farre forthe as is expedient for our saluation mercifully defend vs from all euill both of body and of soule as well in this life as in the life to come For so hath himselfe promised (a) Ps 49 15 Call vpon me in the day of tribulation I will deliuer thee thou shalt honour me Last of al we cōclude the whole prayer with this one worde Amen (b) 2. Cor. 1 20 Amb. in Ps 40. Hier. in c. 6. Mat. that we may shewe our confidence in praieng hope of obtaining in regarde as well of Christes promise that neuer faileth (c) Mat. 7 7. Luc. 11 9. Io. 16 23. Aske saith he and it shall bee giuen you as also of the infinite clemencye and ready mercie of God the Father in so much that hereupon S. IHON hath sayd (d) 1. Io. 5 14. What-soeuer wee shall aske according to his will hee heareth vs. 14 What is the summe of our Lords prayer IT containethe a perfite and absolute forme not only of asking that which is good but also of praieng to be deliuered from whatsoeuer is euill And amongst the things that be good this is first to be wished and praied for that all men may glorifie our heauenly Father at all times in all places then that we may be partakers of his Kingdome afterwarde that we may not want those helpes that are conuenient for the attaining vnto the same Kingdome As is on the behalfe of our soule to be conformable to the will of God and as touching our body to haue necessary liuing maintenance But those thinges that are added in the second place do continue to the end of the prayer do expresse the affect of one that craueth deliuery from euils which by the grace power of almighty God he desireth to haue either vtterly taken away to wit sinne the contagion of all goodnesse and the sinke and puddle of all euils or els that they may be so tempered that by their violence they hinder vs not in the way to saluation Such are diuers temptations that inuade vs in this worlde all calamities both present and to come Al other things that are to be said touching praier shal be reserued for that place where the three kinds of good works shal be expownded OF THE ANGELICALL SALVTATION 15 Which is commonly called the Angelicall salutation THat which was pronounced vnto the most holy Virgin Luc. 1 28. Chrysost Iacob in Liturg 116. Aug. ser 2. de annun Amb. in c. 1 Luc. Chrysol ser 140. seq Ber. hom 3. super Myssus est Fulg. ser de laud. B. Virg the mother of God in these wordes Haile MARY full of grace our Lorde is with thee blessed art thou among women blessed is the fruit of thy wombe IESVS Holy MARIE mother of God pray for vs sinners now and in the houre of our death AMEN 16 Whereupon came this maner of
vnto theÌ„ so much of Ecclesiastical helpe as may sufficiently recompence for theÌ„ But euen in these Pardon 's also is required a iust conuenient cause without the which they shall haue either none or not so greate force as the wordes doe soundâ— is we saide before The like also is to be iudged of the estate of grace of him which obtaineth the Indulgence for the deade Grace is not alwaies required in him which â—â—â—teth an Indulgence for the dead yet with some difference betweene these Indulgences and those which are graunted to them which liue in this worlde For two manner of workes may the POPE require in Pardon for the Dead The first are workes which haue no other goodnesse in them than that which they haue of sâ—eâ—dâ—eâ— as if the Pardon should runne thus Whososoeuer visiteth this Church or saieth such a Praier c. shall deliuer a soule out of Purgatory And such things being doone out of Gods grace because without his 〈◊〉 the worke hath â—o goodnesse in it there cannot be a sufficient cause of Pardon and therefore the Pardon auaileth nothing Other workes may haue some goodnesse in themselues or in some extrinsecal thing although they haue â—â—ne by the doer As if this should be the forme of the Indulgence Who saith MASSE or causeth to be said MASSE for such a cause or giueth Almes for the maintenance of such a place shal deliuer a soule out of Purgatory For certaine it is that MASSE ALMES doe good vnto the Church although they wh ch saide it or made them to bee giuen bee not in Grace And in such workes Nauarre Sotus if by some circumstance the minde of the POPE be not gathered to the contrary that is that he require that they be deuoutly and with grace perfourmed then may the Pardon be obtained for the dead by one which is not in grace For heere the POPE graunteth the Pardon for a iust cause which is Gods glory and honour by those charitable workes and the other doth nothing concurre vnto it but by determining the person to whome the POPE may apply it Euen so is it in the Dirige of a naughty Priest offered for one that is dead as for the MASSE it is certaine that it hath effecte of it selfe without any respect to him which saith it euen for those for whoÌ„ a naughty Priest doth offer it Who if he say this Dirige of his own deuotion priuately it is nothing auaileable But if he doe it to fulfill the bond of the Church whose Minister he is or in the Quire than doth it very much profite the Deade for in this he beareth the person of the wholle Church So also is it if my man being in sinne giue out of my Purse by my consent or generall leaue Almes to the poore For in these examples the workes are more â—f 〈◊〉 â—ersons than of those which doe execute thâ—◠〈…〉 it in the Suffrages and Indulgenâ—◠〈…〉 when the POPE respecteth the wâ—◠〈…〉 the goodnesse thereof in the effecte 〈…〉 recite from a naughty roote from wâ—◠〈…〉 no goodnes at al. For in such a case aâ—◠〈…〉 â—arâ—â—â—cantable of Pardon himselfe yet 〈…〉 a worke aâ— mothers appointment wherunto is annexed a Pardons for the Deade although perhaps the worke doth nothing profite the Deade but only in as much as it doth determine the POPES application of Pardon to this Particular party deceased No condition necessary in this life for Pardon in Purgatory or for participation of the suffrages of the Church Neither is that necessary which some doe require that a man for to be holpen by Indulgences after his death haue had whilest he heere liued a special deuotion to the autority of the Church and a diligent care to helpe the soules departed or a particular resolution to satisfie vnto God in this life although this last be singularly profitable to make at the least in the houre of death For it is sufficient that one be in Purgatory for then he is also in Grace And the want of those affections in life time in a higher degree than euery Christian is bounde vnto vnder paine of Mortall sinne although perhappes it hath increased the debte in Purgatory yet can it not hinder the common influence of Christes Passion and the participation of the Churches Suffrages or of the Treasure of Indulgence 12 The conclusion of this Treatise of the fruit of Indulgences THus much haue we saide according to the most sounde opinions of Learned Diuines of this 〈…〉 â—â—dulgences Which for that it was 〈…〉 â—â—IONIS ET PETRA SCANâ—◠〈…〉 offence and a rocke of scandall to 〈…〉 stumbling made Israell to sinne 〈…〉 which followe his Doctrine a comâ—â—◠〈…〉 blasphemy against the CHVRCH 〈…〉 it my part to handle more largely than the purpose of this BOOKE did require If nothing will suffice them no reason content them no autority conuince them then let them knowe that they beeing out of the number of GODS Children can neuer be troubled with Purgatory nor with Pardons which haue relation vnto Purgatory The one being a place of correction for children the other a mercifull fauour exhibited vnto the same children But of them which despise this Rodde of Discipline of our Almighty Father and contemne his Indulgence and Mildenesse is saide of the Apostle Heb. 12 8. If you be without Discipline whereof all be made partakers than are you Bastards and not children And that of the Prophet Esa 11 4 He shall strike the earth with the Rodde of his mouth with the breath of his lippes he shall kill the wicked But we whom God of his infinite mercy hath vnited vnto his misticall body of the holy Church as we must of necessity if we will remaine in the same vnity acknowledge and reuerence the sacred autority and power of giuing Indulgences so in seeking with diligence to obtaine them we shall reape three singular benefittes Three singâ—lar profits oâ— Indulgences First wee shall receiue encrease of meritte and consequently of grace in this life and glory in the other whilest wee deuoutely performe those good workes vnto which alwaies we are inuited by Indulgences Secondly we shall obtaine the release of the paines of Purgatory by diminishing in our mortall life the debte thereof which by those which feare the corrections of God and consider how farre as S. AVGVSTINE saieth In Psal â— those paines exceede whatsoeuer can be suffered in this life will be iudged a great felicitie Thirdly we shall shorten the time of our absence from God after our departure from hence and hasten that happy vision which God promised to MOISES when he saide I will shew thee all good Ex. 33 1. Which acceleration of so great a good how pretiouse it is wel vnderstoode S. PAVL Phil. 1 23. who so earnestly desired to be dissolued and to be with Christ And that other deuoute soule which complaining of the length of her Pilgrimage and dwelling amongst the inhabitants of darke and sorowfull CEDAR Ps 119 5. did wast consume with the desire of entering into the heauenly Courtes Ps 83 3. In which if according to the infallible veritie of Gods word one day be farre better than thousands of worldly treasures Ps 83 11. then surely that which not onely deliuereth from miserie but hasteneth and anticipateth so many yeeres and daies of so greate a blisse giuing also such helpe and occasion of a higher mansion in so rich a house Io. 14 2. cannot be valued with the treasures of wholle Kingdomes Psal 62 2. Come therefore O you who wander abroade in the deserte desolate and withered lande of Heresie and Schisme Come vnto the waters and you which haue not siluer make haste and buy Esa 55 1. and eate Come buy without amy exchange Wine and Milke Why doe your spend your money and not in bread why doe you bestow your labour and not in satiety Come vnto these liuely waters which proceeding from the fountaine of life will purge you from the mudde of your broken cisterns and quicken you with the spirite of God Hier. 2 12. â—o 4 14. â—o 9 2. and spring vp into life euerlasting Come drinke of that wine which the holy wisdome of God hath mingled vnto you And least you be terrified with the expectation of your fathers seuerity and discipline beholde your mother with her naked breasts cometh to meete you ready to embrace you and as new borne Infants to nourish you with the milke of her clemency and kindnes â—â— 15 22. Shee bringeth with her your very first stole which you once receiued of her in Baptisme now again again haue defiled And although that pure robe of innocency with which then she adorned you cannot bee recouered yet shall you no doubte by her diligent care and motherly piety be cloathed with an vnspotted garment of your recouered grace and if you haue hurte your soueraigne Lorde and Father in any thing or be in his debte you being once restored to his fauour shee hath wroten it with her owne hand shee will repay it Whose voice if you will heare Philem. vers 18. whose petition if you will graunt whose teares if you will respecte then shall you in steede of wasting your substance riotously by labouring vnto destruction Mat. 13 44. and euerlasting fire conuert most holsomely and profitablely your care and labours to the buying of that hidden treasure which shall fully recompence the sale of all worldly riches Laus Deo ac Beatissimae semper Virgini Matri DEI-PARAE MARIAE atque omnibus Sanctis 1. Cor. 11 16. If any man seeme to be coÌ„tentious we haue no such custome nor the Church of God S. Cyp. l. de simp Praelat Aug. l. 4. de simb ad cat c. 13. He shall not haue God to his Father Who will not haue the Church to his Mother FINIS