the yeare 1158 brought 30 other of their own opinion with them ouer into England who by the commandement of the King Prelates were burnt in the forehead so driuen out of the Realm Rob. Gisburn Illiricus saith they were afterwards slaine by the Pope Illir Catol Martyrol p. 83. In France The Waldenses or Pauperes de Lugduno so called from one Waldus a man of great substance in the City of Lyons who about the yeare 1160 taking occasion by the sudden death of one with whom hee was walking beganne with a carefull studie to reforme his life and to this end studied the Scriptures diligently and taught the true knowledge of Gods word to as many as resorted vnto him In short space the number of those who ioyned with him came to thousands who were dispersed abroad into diuers parts of the world These were miserably persecuted by the Pope and his faction Hist de Waldens Raymund Earle of Tholouse for taking part with them was wrongfully vexed and disinherited by the Pope Mat. Paris In France The Religion of the Waldenses 1 They held that the Pope is not greater then another Bishop 2 That there is no purgatory 3 That it is in vaine to pray for the dead 4 That Masses for the dead are the inuentions of couetous priests 5 That images hallowing of waters and other creatures are superstitious 6 That the word of God should be truly preached vnto all men 7 That Fryers shrift and the vse of the oile in Baptisme are the inuentions of men 8 They contemned the Masse all that appertained to it 9 They misliked the single life of votaries and the distinction of daies and meats 10 They defended the reading of Scripture by the Laitie 11 They had but two sacraments 12 That the Communion should be administred in both kinds Nauc vol. 2. g. 900. Hildebertus Archbishop of Tours about this time taxed the pride of the Pope and being an excellent Poet made this distich of Rome Vrbs foelix si vel dominis vrbs illa careret Vel dominis esset turpe carere fide Happy would this City be If wanting lords her selfe were free Or hauing Lords in dignitie These wanted not true honesty In Germany Fredericke Barbarossa the Emperour about the yeare 1150 opposed himselfe against the Pope forbidding appeales to Rome the comming of Legates from thence into Germany and other trickes of the papall pride A great part of Germanie tooke part with him Naucl. vol. 2. p. 836. gen 39. In Constantinople About this time Anselme Bishop of Haremburg being sent from Lotharius to Calo Iohannes Emperor of Constātinople among other things he disputed much of the supremacy of the Romane Bishop Nichetes Bishop of Nicodemia excellently contested against him and confuted his arguments maintaining that the pride of the Romish Church was the cause of so many schismes and heresies which were then abroad in the world Ext. in Naucl. vol. 2. p. 900 in Patr. Symps hist of the Church p. 433. Before that time there may bee seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeeres 1100. and 1150. In England THeobald Archbishop of Canterbury with the Prelates of England in a Councell held at London anno 16. Regni Stephani regis decreed that Bishops should liue more discreetly that Priests should not bee Rulers ouer worldly matters that they should teach their flockes more diligently and that the people should read the Scriptures and learne the Lords Prayer the Creed in English Malsmb Chron. King Henry the first and his Nobles were euen at the point to forsake the Romish Church Patet ex Epist Anselm ad Pascal Pap. Martyrol pag. 177. Liucolniensis gaue this description of a Frier A Frier is a dead Carkasse risen out of his Graue wrap'd in a winding-sheet and carried among men by the Diuell Wichleif in Trialog lib. 4. cap. 26. pag. 143. In Almaine HIldegard a Nunne and a Prophetesse liuing about the yeere 1146. most bitterly reprehended the abhominable life of the Pope and his Clergie inueighing against the greedie subtill proceeding of Friers denouncing woe vnto those who suffer themselues to be seduced by them and foretelling the horrible destruction of the Church of Rome Histor Iornal Martyrol p. 182. 237. In France BErnard Abbot of Cluxaval born in Burgundy liued about this time who although liuing in a most corrupt age hee was exceeding superstitious in some points yet freely reproued diuers corruptions then comming on hee is cleare with vs against the conceipt of the Virgin Maries Conception free from sinne as appeareth Ex Epist 179. ad Cam. Lugdon Against Merites Ser. 1. de Annunciat Against Iustification by workes Serm. 22. in Cantic Against Free will Lib. de Grana lib. Arb. Against the seuenfold number of Sacraments Ser. 1. de coen Dom Against the vncertaintie of Saluation Epist 107. Against the Popes Greatnesse in Temporalities Lib. 2. consid ad Eugen Also hee admonished Count Theobald who bestowed great matters in building of Abbies and Churches that he should rather support them which are of the houshold of Faith and bee carefull to build the euerlasting Tabernacle Epist 107. In Flanders ABout this time was one burnt in Antwerp for Preaching against the reall presence in the Sacrament Massan Chron. lib. 16. anno 1124. In Germanie HEnry the fifth Emperor against Paschalis then Pope maintayned his owne right of making Bishops and other Priuiledges that belonged to his Ancestors which the Pope vsurped Nauder vol. 2. p. 807. Segon anno 1111. In Italie Arnulphus an eloquent Preacher came to Rome about this time and in his Preaching reproues the vicious life of the Popish Clergie hee is supposed to bee the Author of the Booke called Opus Tripartitum which containeth a great complaint of the enormities and abuses in the Church of the number of their Holidayes of the curious singing in Cathedrall Churches of the rabble of begging Friers of the vnchast voluptuous behauiour of Churchmen and finally wisheth reformation to begin at the Sanctuary for the which the hatred of the Pope and his Clergie was so much incensed against him that they layd priuie wait for him tooke him and drowned him Martyrol pag. 181. Sabellius and Platina say they hanged him Platin. in vit Honor. 2. Before that time there may bee seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1050. and 1100. In England ABout this time saith Mathew Paris The King of England fauored not much the See of Rome because of their impudent and vnsatiable exactions neither would he suffer any of his Subiects to goe to Rome alledging these wordes in the Author thus expressed Quod Petri non inhaerent vestigijs praemijs inhiantes non eius potestatem retinent cuius sanctitatem probantur non imitari Math. Paris In France BErengarius Archdeacon of Angeow about the yeare 1060. withstood the Doctrine of Transubstantiation newly hatched in the Councell of Lateran And although by the violence of
the Pope and his Clergie hee was driuen to recantation yet after his Death many adhered to his opinion Malsmb In Germanie HEnry the third Emperour withstood Hildebrand the Pope and his vsurped Supremacie Sigeb Chron. in anno 1077. Walenam Bishop of Mergburg Merian Scot. Sigefridus Archbishop of Mentz Martyrol pag. 161. The Councell of Wormes Aventin Anal. lib. 5. The Councell of Brixia about the yeare 1083. pronounced the Pope to bee deposed and withdrew themselues from his Authoritie Abbas vsb Martyrol pag. 164. In Italie NIcetus an Italian Abbot Benno Vgobaldus Leo. Iohannes Petrus Natro Theodinus Cardinals with diuers other Bishops Priests of Italie forsooke the Pope and adhered to the Emperour Auent Anal. lib. 5. Sygebert a Chronicle writer of those times taxeth the Popes Excommunication of Princes and absoluing their Subiects from obedience of noueltie and heresie Sygeb in anno 1088. And thus through Gods assistance wee haue traced out the footsteps of the Protestants Religion from Luther to Berengarius from the dayes of Henry the eight vnto the comming in of King William the Conqueror And wee haue found a cloud of witnesses in England France Germanie Italie Spaine Bohemia and diuers other Countries for the space almost of Fiue hundred yeeres successiuely professing and maintayning the same whereby wee may plainly see that our Religion was long before Luther and that they were not all Papists that liued in the Christian world before Luthers dayes as the Papists foolishly doe traduce Now let vs follow the same tract a little higher and make enquirie whether we may not finde the same in the Elder dayes and in the yeares of former Generations euen to the time in which Poperie first began and before the hatching of the same which by the like assistance of Almighty God I doubt not to performe in that which followeth But now for a while in the next ensuing Centuries we shall I confesse behold the Church of Christ like the Sunne obscured in a cloud Popery being about this time in the height of her Pride Reuel 17.2.14 When the Kings of the earth gaue their power and strength vnto the Beast and the Nations were drunken with the Cup of that Babilonish Strumpet Besides that euen as our Aduersaries themselues acknowledge those times were barren and obscure times because there were few good Writers in those times which did Record the occurrents of the times And therefore there cannot be expected so large Catologue in these as wee haue either in the dayes before or in these latter Times Yet blessed be the name of the Lord he hath not left himselfe without witnessesse euen in these most obscure times But there we may meet with diuers who followed the same way and professed the same Truth which we Protestants now doe as may appeare by the Induction following Betweene the yeares 1000. and 1050. In England Marianus Scotus an Historiographer who liued in the daies of King Edward the Confessor and spared not in his writings to reproue the practise of Papists in those daies Maxian Scot. hist Martyrol p. 149. Vnder the raigne of King Canutus although superstition did in this land wonderfully abound yet diuers points of the Protestants religion as Iustification by Faith obedience in all sorts of people to Magistrates in the same manner as we now hold them was then professed as may appeare by Canutus his Lawes Martyrol p. 148. ex Iornal hist In France Luthericus an Archbishop in France about this time denied the reall presence in the Sacrament Baron Ann. 1004. n. 5. Glaber Rodulphus wrote how that the Bishop of Rome should haue nothing to doe in another mans Diocesse The which he also saith was the opinion of all the French Prelats Hesp lib. 2. c. 9. Quem refert Baronius In Germanie Rodulphus Ardens Preached against the popish opinion of Merits as appeareth out of his Homilie Dominic in Septuagint and in his 1. Hom. in Dominic Trin. The same Rodulphus Ardens also taught that there is no abilitie in vs to keepe the Law As may appeare out of his 2. Hom. in 18. dom Trinit Betweene the yeares 950. and 1000. In England The Cleargie of England in a Councell held 975. withstood Dunstans prohibition of Priests Marriage Hen. lib. 5. Fatholdus whom some call Ethreredus a learned man of Scotland so euidently by Scriptures and Fathers proued that Marriage was lawfull to men in spirituall offices that Dunstans Miracle was reputed an illusion of the Deuill Hist Magdeb. cent 10. c. 9. Aelfricus Archbishop of Canterburie about the yeare 996. wrote an Epistle to Wolfine Bishop of Shirburne against the housling of the Sacrament And another Epistle to Wolstan Archbishop of Yorke against Transubstantiation Which with a Sermon of his in the Saxon tongue are extant Martyrol p. 1040. 1401. 1042. In France Fulco Archbishop of Rhemes vttering his minde freely in a Councell held at Rhemes vnder the Raigne of Carolus Simplex against the abuses of the Court of Rome and for seeking reformation of the Church was slaine in that Counsell by Vinemarus Ex Rhem. Concil Luitprandus a famous Historiographer in the daies of Otho the 1. wrote against the Pope Epist Luitpr ad Reginomundus Episc Hisp In Germanie Otho the Great Deposed Pope Iohn the 13. and assumed into his owne hands the nomination and making of Popes which was a manifest resistance against the growth of the primacie Sigon lib. 7. ann 963. Theophilact is thought to haue liued about this time he was Bishop of Bulgaria and wrote Greeke Commentaries vpon the Euangelists c. Hee said Antichrist should spring in the decay of the Roman Empire and of Marriage that it was honourable and a step to the Chaire of a Bishop Theophilact Betweene the yeares 900. and 950. In England The English Clergie about this time were very peremptorie against the Reall presence Osbernun vit St. Oden Martyrol p. 1029. The Lawes of King Athelstan and of King Edward the Elder doe plainely shew that the Kings of England at that time gouerned as well in causes Ecclesiasticall as ciuill Extract è legibus Rex Athelst Martyrol p. 1039. In France Reynerus confesseth that about this time there were in France diuers of the Predecessors of the Abbigenses which euen in those daies held their opinions Illyr tom 2. c. 5. p. 548. In Germanie The booke entituled Fasciculus temporum complaineth of the manifold abuses which about this time were in the Church of Rome which caused diuers of the Germans to write and to inueigh against the same Fascic temp p. 68. Betweene the yeares 850. and 900. In England KIng Alfred caused the Psalter and diuers other parcels of holy Scripture to be translated into the English tongue that the English might be the better acquainted with the same Gulielm de Regiby Angl. Iohannes Scotus a great learned man was famous about this time he wrote a Booke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and an other De corpore
sanguine Domini for the which and other of his Positions contrarie to the opinion of the popish Church he was accused of the Pope for an Hereticke and at the last was murthered Iornal c. 171. Martyrol p. 130. Noetus and Werefrithus at the same time here in England were of the same opinions Ibid. In Germanie Huldericke Bishop of Ausburgh about the yeare 867. wrote an Epistle to Pope Nicholas the 1. prouing by substantiall reasons that Priests ought not to bee restrained from Marriage Ex tat haec Epist Martyrol p. 125. Illyric in Catal. Meminit etiam huius Epistolae Aeneas Siluius in sua perigr Germaniae descriptione The Bishop of Rauenna also about this time wrote against the Supremacie of the Bishp of Rome Anast in vit Nich. In Constantinople Michael the Emperour and Photius the Patriarch of Constantinople stoutly resisted the Popes supremacie in opposition of whom the Embassadors of Pope Adrian the 2. came to Constantinople where a Councell being gathered by Basilius against Photius great policie was vsed in that Councell to haue all things framed to the content of the Romish Bishop Michael was slaine Photius deposed and to his place Taratius a great defender of the adoration of Images is preferred Exopist Nich. ann Mich. Anastas in vit Nich. 1. Betweene the yeares 800. and 850. In England Iohn Mailros Claudius Clemens Two learned men of Scotlan sent by King Achaius to Charles King of France and the first professors of Learning in the Vniuersity founded in Paris These two were much disliked by the Prelates of the Romish Church because they would not assent to all the superstitions of that Church in an age so miserably deformed Patrick Symps hist of the Ch. 2. Booke cent 8. p. 386. In France Claudius Bishop of Tours opposed himselfe against the adoration of Images Inuocation of Saints Pilgrimage c. Ionas Aurel. de Cult Imag. Albertus Ballus a Bishop in France was Excommunicated by Pope Zacharie because hee held diuers things contrary to the Romish superstitions Hist Magd. cent 8. cap. 10. In Germanie Lotharius the Emperour reduced the Pope to the obedience of the Empire and sent three Arch-Bishops twenty Bishops and diuers noble men to Rome who disputed against the Pope and confuted him Anastas vit Poâ—t 〈◊〉 Serg. 2. Betweene the yeares 750. and 800. Bertram that famous learned man very skilfull in the Scriptures and of a life vnblamable as Trithemius testifieth of him wrote a Bâ—oke about this time against Transubstantiation which booke is now extant Trithem Catul. script Alcwinus and the Bishops of England wrote an Epistle substantially grounded out of holy Scripture about this time to the French King against setting vp of Images and other popish practises Continuatio Bedae in ann 792. In Germanie Charles the great assembled a Counsell at Franckeford about the yeare 794. wherein was condemned the worshipping of Images Concil Fr. The same Charles also caused a booke to be made against the 2 Nicene Counsell where the worshipping of Images was decreed with another set forth by Ludouicus his Son to the same effect Both which are to bee seene at this day Rhegino Chron. 2. In Constantinople In the yeare of our Lord 755. and in the 13. yeare of the Raigne of Constantinus Copronymus a generall Councell of 338. Bishops were assembled at Constantinople in which Councell the worshipping of Images is condemned and the placing of them in Oratories and Temples was forbidden Zonar Tem. 3. p. 88. Betweene the yeares 700. and 750. In England Beda translated St. Iohns Gospel into English Malmsh Adelbartus Clemens These two here in England about this time preached against the Popes Supremacie Traditions Images Purgatorie Masses for the dead and in defence of Priests marriage Illyr Catal. test tom 1. p. 633. In Constantinople Philipicus Leo Isaurus Two Emperours of Constantinople opposed themselues against the Popes supremacie and the worshipping of Images Zon. tom 3. p. 84. Betweene the yeares 650. and 700. In England AIdan Finian Coleman Three Scottish Bishops Also Cutbertus Iurummanus Cedda Wilfridus of whom it is testified that they gaue themselues wholly to the preaching of the word and followed that life which they preached giuing good example to others that they abhorred the papall pompe and had many bitter controuersies with the Court of Rome Bed lib. 2.23 lib. 4 c. 3. Martyrol p. 110. In Constantinople About the yeare 681. and in the 12. yeare of Constantius Pagonatus a generall Counsell was held at Constantinople where was disanulled the Doctrine of the Church of Rome concerning prohibition of Marriage to men in spirituall offices as also it was ordained that the Patriarch of Constantinople should bee equall in authority with the Pope of Rome Sext. Synod Can. 13. Also it was forbidden to make the holy Ghost in likenesse of a Doue Caxanc in can 82. In Portugall In the Councell of Bracara there held about this time the Cup was appointed to bee ministred to the Laietie as well as the Bread in the Administration of the Sacrament against the practise of some who then vsed to dip the Bread and so to giue it which was one beginning of the halfe Communion Concil Bracaz 3.1 Betweene the yeares 600. and 650. In England MEllitus Brockmaile 1100. Monkes of Bangor not Monkes after the Popish order but liuing by the sweat of their browes and labour of their owne hands who were miserably slaine because they withstood the proceedings of Austin the Monke who from the Pope was sent ouer into England Polychus 20. Martyrol p. 107. In France Serenus Bishop of Marsils in France about this time opposed the popish bringing in of Images into the Churches and brake downe all the Images that that were set vp in his Diocesse Alphons v. Imago In Greece The whole Greeke Church complained at Phocas when first he gaue the Supremacie to Boniface Plat. Bonif. 3. Gregorie Bishop of Rome no lesse contesting against that Supremacie taxing the desire thereof as a Character of Antichrist Greg. Epist 32.34.38 39. Thus haue we traced the foot-steps of the Protestant Church 400. yeares and vpward before the Conquest of England by William Duke of Normandy a thousand yeares before Luthers time or the daies of Henry the eight and haue found our Religion professed and maintained by diuers persons and in sundrie places not only here in England but also in most parts of Christendome euen to the time when Poperie began to shew it selfe in her colours in the daies of Boniface the 3. of that name Bishop of Rome and Phocas the Emperour 2 Thes 2.7 At what time as that mysterie of iniquitie which began to worke in the Apostles dayes did gather head and display it selfe how easie it will bee for vs to deriue the succession hereof from an higher discent and to shew the continuance thereof from the Apostles time shall hereafter be made manifest In the meane while we will for a while looke backe vnto our
if any thing will satisfie such vnquiet spirits by the most ReuereÌ„d Father highest Prelate in our Church so that the most part of the bookes which of late come from the presse are written of this subiect yet I hope this mine after gleaning shall neither seeme presumptuous nor superfluous It is the counsell aduise of S. Augustin that at such times and vpon such occasions as these are al men should write that haue any faculty in writing albeit it be but the same things in other words that all sorts of people among many books might light vpoÌ„ some and the enemie in all places might find some to encounter him For Zions sake I could not hold my peace and for Ierusalems sake I could not rest Esay 62 1. vntill the righteousnesse thereof goe forth as brightnesse and the saluation thereof as a lampe that burneth And if any shall demand of me as Ioab did of Ahimaaz 2. Sam. 18.12 13. why I would be so desirous to run this way after so many better-footed Cushies mine Apology is yet let me runne after them though it be like Ascanius Non passibus aequis althogh the matter bee the same or much more mean my method peraduenture may be more plaine For in this controuersie betweene vs and the Papists coÌ„cerning the Antiquity of both our Churches I follow the tract prescribed by Moses 1 Looking backe into the dayes of old and the yeares of many generations 2 Making inquiry of our fathers and our elders that they may shew and tell vs whether Church whether Religion is the ancientest And I begin first with the first The triall of the truth hereof by the antiquitie of time because the Papists now adaies principally insist vpon this point The Church of God say they consisteth not of a few people Bell. de eccles lib. 3. c. 13. Gregor de Valen. tom 3. p. 142. Coâ—ter Enchir. c. 2. Rhemist in Act. 11.24 but of many it is not hidden or obscure but conspicuous the company thereof perpetually holdeth a visible succession of Pastors and people as sensibly as any other society of men so that any time one may point with his finger and say this is the Church But the Protestants Church cannot shew this ergo it is no true Chuch Concerning that tenent of theirs about the perpetuall visibility of the Church in that sense as they take it how infirme it is I refer the reader to the learned Treatises of the most reuerend and iudicious Diuines of our Church Archbishop of Cant. in his treatise of the visibl of the Church D. Field of the Church D. Whites way to the true Church who haue purposely written of that Argument I rather bend my selfe to refute their Minor proposition wherein they deny that we of the Protestant Church can shew any such succession or visibility of our Church and Religion in former times And that so much the rather because Gregory of Valenza peremptorily maintaineth Greg. de Valen. 〈◊〉 3. p. 142. that this is a point which pusseleth vs extreamly that we are not able to shew any company of people which in times past was knowne in the world to hold that forme of doctrine religion which we haue brought in wherein albeit as their owne Bellarmine confesseth It is not required to the vniuersality of the Church Bellar. not ecclâ—â— c. 7. that of necessity there be at all times in euery Country some beleeuers it sufficeth if there be successiuely whence saith hee it followeth that if only one Prouince did retaine the true faith yet should it truly and properly be called the Catholike Church as long as it might be shewed that it were the same which it was at other times in other places of the world yet such hath been the singular mercy of God to his Church in the manifestation thereof that we are able to shew that there hath beene no place in Christendome but there haue been some of our religion therein as not only our own experience Bâ—z sign eccles lib. 19. c. 1. Bellar. de Rom. Pont. lib. 3. c. 21. but our aduersaries owne reports beare witnesse when they complaine how our heresie so hereticks style it hath possessed many and large Prouinces To make this the better manifest I shall in the ensuing discourse set downe as in a Table a particular Catalogue in what places at what times by what persons our Religion hath been professed and maintained in former ages For an introduction whereunto let vs first consider what our Aduersaries do except against vs. As the Iewes sometimes spake vnto our Sauiour Thou art not yet fifty yeares old Iohn 8.57 and hast thou seene Abraham so the Papists say to vs Rhem. annot in Ephes 4. v. 13. Your Religion is not yet an hundred yeeres old and can such a Religion be good And as the Gentiles sometimes vpbraided the Primitiue Christians Prudent periph hymn 10. Nunc dogma nobis ChristianuÌ„ nascitur post euolutos mille demuÌ„ consules Now after we know not how many thousand Consul-times the Christian Religion forsooth is start vp So the Papists obiect against vs now at the last after so many hundred yeares Campian Bell. de eccles lib. 4. c. 5. after so many hundred Popes after so long continuance of the faith and doctrine of the church of Rome without any alteratioÌ„ or opposition The Protestant Religion is sprung vp the first founder thereof being Martin Luther an Apostate Frier c. Popish discourse concerning faith p. 57. The Protestant Religion saith the Iesuit was neuer heard of before Martin Luther set it abroach and a late popish Doctor blusheth not to vtter that it is most manifest that all in England were Papists without exception from the first christning thereof vntill about the latter end of King Henry the eight Vide Archb. of Cant. de visib eccles p. 74. What was our Religion neuer heard of before Luther set it abroach were all in England Papists euery one without exception in that religion from the first time that it was Christian till Henry the eight brought in an Innouation Let vs try the honesty of these Popish Doctors and by a view of this try how in other things we may trust theÌ„ on their words let vs according to the counsell of Moses the man of God looke to the dayes of old and the yeares of many generations let vs search the records of time and beginning with Luther looke backward vnto the former times to the yeares of many generations that were before him and if we do not find the footsteps of our Religion in those ancienter dayes let the Papists be credited and our mouthes stopped Martin Luther was borne at Isleben in Saxony Massâ—â— lib. 2â— Casp pencer l. 5. Abbat Vsperg Iob. Sleidun Martyrol Anglic p. 771 772. Anno Domini 1483. Hee was brought vp in the Vniuersitie first of Magdeburg then of Erford and afterwards at Wittenburgh
head of the Church and that hee neuer appointed any Pope to be his general Vicar 5 That the mariage of Priests is lawfull 6 That S. Peter was neuer at Rome 7 That the Clergie of Rome is a den of theeues 8 That the Popes doctrine leadeth to eternall damnation Defens pac Aligerius Andreas de Castro Iohannes Rochetaylada Henrici de Erford nameth him Haybalus preached openly that the Church of Rome was the whore of Babylon and the Pope with his Cardinals to bee the very Antichrist And being for the same brought before the Popes face constantly did perseuere in the same saying that hee was commanded by God to publish the same Froysard Volum 1. chap. 211. Martyrol pag. 360. Before that time there may bee seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1250 1300. In England PEter the sonne of Cassiodore wrote a zealous Epistle to the Church of England dehorting it from the tyranny of the Church of Rome Ex vetust Chron. Alban extat Martyrol 323. The Popes inhibition was despised in England Anno Domini 1294. Diuers also about this time were accused here in England for adhering to the opinion of the Waldenses Turris Lond. in record reconcil inter regem Baron In Germany Gulielmus Altissiodorensis an ancient Schoolman in whose summes many points of popish doctrine are strongly opposed and confuted Naucler vol. 2. Gen. 45. Iohannes Semeca Prouost of Halberstat was about this time excommunicated and depriued of his office for resisting Pope Clement the fourth gathering certain exactions in Germanie who therefore appealed from the Pope to a generall Councell and had many great fauourers of his side Martyrol pag. 287. In France Gulielmus de S. Amore Master in Paris and chiefe ruler in that Vniuersitie hee wrote a booke de periculis Ecclesiae wherein he maintaineth 39 conclusions against the Papists but especially against the Friers Magdeb. cent 13. c. 5. Robertus Gallus borne of a Noble parentage about the yeare 1290 wrote diuers prophesies against the Pope church of Rome in a booke of visions In the first Chap. whereof hee painteth forth the Pope like an Idol In the twelfth Chapter like a Serpent In the thirteenth he resembleth the state of the Church of Rome to a body whose head is dry leane and withered like a logge of wood In another place hee compareth the Schoole-men in their subtill questions and distinctions to a man who hauing fine Manchet bread and pure Wine set before him doth notwithstanding chuse rather to gnaw vpon an hard and flinty stone Martyrol pag. 292. In Italy Petrus Iohannes a Minorite about the yeare 1290 taught and maintained many things against the Pope prouing that he was Antichrist and the Synagogue of Rome the great whore of Babylon Nichol. Emer in lib. inquisit In Spaine Arnoldus de Villa noua a Spaniard by birth about the yeare 1252 was by the Pope condemned for an Hereticke because hee wrote against the corruptions of the Romish Church his preaching was to this effect First that the Pope and his Clergie seduce the world like Satan from the truth of Christ Secondly Faith as the Papists require it is no better then the Deuils faith Thirdly that the Pope leadeth men to Hell Fourthly that Cloisterers are void of charitie Fiftly that Masses are not to be celebrated and that they ought not to sacrifice for the dead with many other propositions to the like effect Magdeb. cent 13. c. 5. Hâ—siad cent 13. c. 10. Before that time there may be seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1200 and 1250 In England RObert Grosthead Bishop of Lincolne a man of great learning and godlinesse who liued in the daies of Pope Innocentius the fourth and constantly resisted his vnlawfull demands as by name the inuesting of a young Italian boy whom the Pope had recommended vnto him to be admitted into the next vacant Prebend in his Diocesse for his sharp reprouing the Pope of Rome and powerful preaching against the corruptions in that Sea hee was commonly called Malleus Romanorum The Hammer of the Romanes for his courage and doctrine the Pope was much incensed against him and sware that he would hurle him downe to such a confusion that he should be made a gazing stocke to all the world notwithstanding all which this good Bishop died peaceably And when as after his death the Pope would haue cast his bones out of Christian buriall in the night following the said Bishop seemed in a vision to appeare before â—â—m and smiting him with his Crozier-staffe on his right side with a sterne looke and terrible voice to say vnto him O thou scuruie lazy bald doting Pope hast thou purposed to cast my bones out of the Church God will not suffer thee to preuaile woe to thee that despisest for thou shalt be despised And so seeming to depart the Pope was found the next morning in a manner halfe dead Math. Paris Martyrol p. 295 296. In France Laurentius Anglicus an Englishman borne but Student in Paris of prime esteeme in that Vniuersity wrote against the Pope affirming that in him and his Prelates Antichrist was already come Martyrol p. 292. Almaricus a Doctor of Paris was burnt for withstanding altars images inuocation of Saints transubstantiation Car. Chron. 1202. In Sweden About the yeare of our Lord 1240 there were in Sweden many Preachers who in their Sermons inueyed against the Pope affirming the Pope and his Bishops to bee hereticks and Symoniacks and that popish priests were meere seducers that the Popes curse was not to bee dreaded and his indulgences were meere fopperies Ex Chronic. Abbat Vsperg Crantz lib. 8. c. 10. In Germany Frederick the second resisted the Popes vsurpations exiled his authoritie out of Germany and fought against him prosperously Mat. Paris p. 71. Sygefridus Seginoburgensit Rudicenus Rhathenicensis Conradus Frisingensis Bishops of Boiora ioyne with the Emperour against the Pope Auent lib. 5. Euarardus Inuanensis an Archbishop in Germany spake thus of the Pope in an Assembly of Bishops at Regenspurg He vnder the colour of religion layeth the foundatioÌ„ of the kingdome of Antichrist These priests of Babylon will reigne alone they can endure no equall they will neuer rest vntill they haue trampled all things vnder their feet he sitteth in the Temple of God and is exalted aboue all that is worshipped Thus doth that child of perdition whom they vse to call Antichrist in whose forehead is written the name of blasphemy I am a god and cannot erre Auent lib. 7. p. 546. Before that time there may be seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1150 and 1200. In England GErhardus and Dulcinus Nauarrensis about this time preached against the Church of Rome defending and maintaining first That prayer was not more holy in one place then another secondly That the Pope was Antichrist and Rome the very Whoore of Babylon prefigured in the Apocalyps These two about
haue they of Ambition which they taxe in him or indignation for want of preferment in those times L. Archbishop of Canterb p. 66. Ex Archiu Colleg Baliol. Oxon. for neither was his preferment so meane he being both Publike Reader of Diuinitie in the famous Vniuersitie of Oxford and also head of a Colledge in that Vniuersitie And also hauing beene employed as an Embassadour with certaine other Lords and men of great esteeme by King Edward the third sent into Italie Martyrol p. 390. to treate with the Popes Legats concerning the affaires betwixt the King and the Pope Ibid. p. 393. 412. with full Commission The Copie whereof Extat Acts Monum p. 390. Moreouer what dignitie or preferment here in England could haue beene wanting vnto him had he ambitiously affected the same Jbid. p. 393. 412. hauing such especiall Patrons as the King himselfe the Duke of Lancaster Earle Percie Lord Marshall the Earle of Salisburie and diuers others of the greatest in Land who continually tooke his part and stood with him Moreouer as concerning his great Learning wee haue the confession of Frier Walden his most cruell and bitter enemie who in a certaine Epistle written to Pope Martin the fift saith Walden Epist ad Martin 5. That he was wonderfully astonished at his most strong Arguments with the places of authoritie which he had gathered with the vehemencie and force of his reasons c. And for further Testimonie both of his life and learning heare the publike Testimoniall of the whole Vniuersitie of Oxford giuen vnto him and his memorie The Copie whereof followeth VNto all and singular the Children of our holy Mother the Church to whom this present Letter shall come the Vice-Chancelor of the Vniuersitie of Oxford with the whole congregation of the Masters wish perpetuall health in the LORD For as much as it is not commenly seene that the Acts and Monuments of valiant men nor the praise and merrits of good men should be passed ouer c. Hereupon it followeth that the speciall good will and care which we beare vnto Iohn Wichliffe sometime childe of our Vniuersitie and Professor of Diuinitie mouing and stirring our mindes as his manners and conditions required no lesse with one minde voice and testimonie we doe all witnesse all his conditions and doings throughout his whole life to haue beene most sincere and commendable whose honest manners and conditions profoundnesse of Learning and most redolent Renowne and fame we desire the more earnestly to be notified and knowne to all the faithfull For that we vnderstand the maturitie and ripenesse of his conuersation his diligent labours and trauailes to tend to the praise of God the helpe and safegard of others and the profit of the Church Wherefore we signifie vnto you by these presents that his conuersation euen from his youth vpwards vnto the time of his death was so praise-worthy and honest that neuer at any time was there any note or spot of suspition noysed of him But in his answering reading preaching and determining He behaued himselfe laudibly and as a stout and valiant Champion of the Faith vanquishing by the force of the Scriptures all such who by their wilfull beggerie blaspheamed and slaundered Christs Religion Neither was this said Doctor conuict of any heresie or burned by our Prelates God forbid that our Prelates should haue condemned a man of such honestie for an Hereticke who among all the rest of the Vniuersitie hath written in Logicke Philosophie Diuinitie Moralitie and the Speculatiue Art without peere The knowledge of which all and singular things wee doe desire to testifie and deliuer forth to the intent that the fame and renowne of this said Doctor may bee the more euident and had in reputation among them vnto whose hands these present Letters testimoniall shall come In witnesse whereof wee haue caused these our Letters testimoniall to be Sealed with our common Seale Dated at Oxford in the Congregation house the 5. day of October in the yeare of our Lord. 1406. Thus farre of Doctor Wickliffe and of the cauils which the Papists doe obiect against him The next that especially they except against in the Catalogue before recited are the Waldenses Exceptions against the Waldenses Laziardus Volaterranus Syluius And what haue they to except against these Waldenses These Waldenses say they were a beggerly raskall sort of people ignorant and vnlearned seditious factious followers of euill opinions and among the rest they would haue all things common among them To that exception of Papists against the pouertie of these Waldenses wee answer 1. Apologie for the Waldenses That pouertie can be no disgrace vnto them who liue vprightly and maintaine the truth in sinceritie Prou. 19.1 Better is the poore that walketh in his integritie then the rich that is peruerse hath not God chosen the poore of this world rich in faith Iam. 2.5 and heires of the kingdome of heauen 2. Neither yet were they all in such pouertie Histor Waldensium for Waldus whom they call the ring leader of them was a man of great substance Reymund Earle of Tholouse and diuers other great Potentates adhered to them and their Religion 3. Neither was their number so small or themselues such vagabonds as the Papists doe traduce them Ibid. for though the fury of persecution did disperse diuers of them and caused them to flie from place to place yet they followed their callings and many times valiantly defeated their enemies To the want of learning and grosse ignorance which the Papists obiect against them I answer first with that of the Apostle 1 Cor. 1.26 1 Cor. 1.26 27 28. Not many wise men after the flesh not many mightie not many Noble hath God called but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise c. 1 Cor. 2.1 And againe That they are best learned who haue learned to know Iesus Christ and him crucified Secondly wee denie that they were all so illiterate or vnlearned Reâ—nerus a Writer about that time and a bitter enemie of theirs in a long processe wherein hee describeth their Doctrine testifieth that hee heard of one who did know the partie Reyner de Waldens that a certaine hereticke of this sect so it pleaseth him to stile them to conuert a certaine person to his faith in the night and Winter time swamme ouer the Riuer Ibis to come vnto him and to teach him Moreouer so perfect saith hee were they in the Scriptures that hee himselfe did see and heare a man of the Countrey vnlettered which could recite ouer the whole booke of Iob word by word without booke with diuers others which had the whole new Testament perfectly by heart And although some of them rather merrily then vnskilfully expounded the words Iohn 1.12 Sui non receperunt cum Aenaeus Sylu. Bohem. hist de Waldens dogmat Swine did not receiue him yet were they