Controversies of Religion CHAP. I. OF SCRIPTVRE 〈…〉 I. That the Apocrypha are not Canonicke Scripture or of Divine authoritie to confirme points of fayth 1. Authoritie of Scripture LVKE 24.27 And beginning at Moses all the Prophets hee expounded vnto them in al the Scriptures the â—…inges concerning himselfe Notâ— then That our Saviour compreâ—…ndeth all the Scripture of the olde Teâ—…ment in Moses and the Prophets of â—…hom Malachi was the last as 2. Esdras 40. is cleare and therefore Esdras â—…o maketh mention of him as last and the rest of the Apocrypha books that â—…re written after him are no part of â—…ine Scripture Act. 26.22 Having then obtained helpe of GOD I continue tâ—… this day witnessing both to smaâ—… and great saying none otheâ—… things than those which Moses anâ—… the Prophets did say should comâ—… Marke then that Paul also comprâ—…hendeth all divine Scripture in the wrâ—… of Moses and the Prophets allanerlie 〈…〉 alleadged none other thing for confirmâ—…tion of his Doctrine but the foresayâ—… Scripture and therefore did not aâ—…knowledge any other apocryphal booâ—… to bee of divine authoritie or fit fâ—… that purpose Rom. 3.2 Vnto them to wâ—… the Iewes were committâ—… the Oracles of GOD. Note theâ—… That seeing the Apocrypha books wâ—… not committed to them nor everâ—…knowledged by them as divine inspyâ—… Scripture as the Papistes themseluâ—… confesse Bellar. lib. 1. de Purg. cap. 〈…〉 § ad primum Therefore it followeâ—… that they are not the Oracles of Goâ—… nor of divine authoritie 2. Tim. 3.16 All Scriptuâ—… is given by divine inspiration Note then That the abridgement 〈…〉 lie of another mans worke and an huâ—…ane Historie done by great paynes â—…uch as the Apocrypha bookes of the â—…achabees are coÌ„fessed to be 2. Machab. 〈…〉 23. is no part therefore of canonicke â—…cripture Againe 2. Pet. 1. 21. For â—…he prophecie came not in olde tyme â—…y the will of man but the holie â—…en of God spake as they were moâ—…ed by the holy Ghost Remarke then againe That Scripture was no private taske vndertaken by the â—…ill of man as the Apocryphall booke of â—…he Machabees is formerlie acknowledâ—…ed And againe seeing that the holie â—…pirit spake by them therefore it followeth that that Booke cannot be of the â—…pirits inspiration wherein the Author â—…howeth if hee hath done slenderlie and â—…eanlie it is all he could attaine vnto as 〈…〉 Machab. 15.38 hee freelie confesâ—…th for this were blasphemouslie deroâ—…atorie to the holie Ghost and to the auâ—…oritie of holie Scripture And no lesse derogatorie is that place â—…f Ecclesiasticus 31.21 against both the â—…odestie of the holie Ghost and gravitie â—…f Scripture which sayeth to him that â—…ath eaten immoderatelie If thou hast â—…ene forced to eate goe foorth and spew it out and thou shalt haue rest there-after I omit sundrie contradictions Trueth where-of the Spirit of Trâ—… could not bee Author as Tobit 5. 〈…〉 where the good Angell is made to 〈…〉 which is onlie proper to Satan and 〈…〉 evill angels and against Heb. 1.14 tâ—… hee sayeth that hee was of a carnall pâ—… creation whose nature are onelie to 〈…〉 created spirits 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THE Church indeede readeth thâ—… Bookes sayeth sainct Ierome 〈…〉 receiveth them not amongst Canonâ—… Scripture Ierom. praef in Proverb Whâ—… remarke that Ierome setteth not doâ—… there his owne private opinion but generall tenet of the whole Church in time And therfore his testimonie acâ—…ding to Cardinall Peron's wordes inâ—… Epistle Observatione quinta is a sâ—…cient evidence of the fayth of the Caâ—…licke Church at that time where 〈…〉 sayeth that when the Fathers speakeâ—… as private Doctors but as witnesseâ—… those thinges which the Church did 〈…〉 believed in their time affirming that sâ—… a thing was the Fayth or practise of 〈…〉 who le Church then their testimonâ—… sufficient to declare the vnanim comâ—… of the whole Church In like manâ—… also with Ierome doeth sainct Gregâ—… acknowledge them not Canonicall Greg. 〈…〉 9. Moral in Iob cap. 17. Nor doeth 〈…〉 ancient Councell of Laodicea Can. 〈…〉 account them anie wayes as such 3. Confession of Partie â—…Nd because they are doubtsome they 〈…〉 are not numbered in the Canon of â—…pture sayeth Cardinall Hugo de S. â—…ro in his Prologue on Iosua The â—…e likewise sayeth Cajetan and Hugo S. Victore 〈…〉 That the Scripture contayneth all things which are necessarie to salvation to know without Popish Traditions 1. Authoritie of Scripture â—…SALME 19.7 The Law of 〈…〉 the LORD is perfect converâ—… the Soule The Testimonie of 〈…〉 LORD is sure making wise the â—…ple â—…ote then That Gods worde is called â—…ect and Sure as sainct Peter also calâ—… it 2. Pet. 1.19 in opposition to â—…ecessitie and nature of Traditions â—…ch are both needlesse and vnsure â—…h 15.9 2. Thess 2.2 Proverb 30.6 Adde thou not to his word lest hee reprouâ—… thee and thou bee found a liar Note then That they are pronounceâ—… liars who accuse Gods worde of impeâ—…fection and therefore would adde theâ—… vnto vnwritten Traditions in matters 〈…〉 salvation 2. Tim. 3.15.16.17 Anâ—… that from a child thou hast knownâ—… the Scriptures which are able tâ—… make thee wise vnto salvatioâ—… through fayth which is in Chriâ—… Iesus Note then If the Scriptures alone bâ—… able to make vs wise vnto salvatioâ—… which is all we neede wherefore serâ—… Traditions Againe vers 16.17 Aâ—… Scripture is given by inspiration 〈…〉 God and is profitable for doctrinâ—… reproofe correction and instructiâ—… in righteousnesse that the man 〈…〉 God may bee perfect througâ—… lie furnished vnto all gooâ—… works Note then This is all that we can seekâ—… what needeth therefore Traditions Iam. 1.21 Receiue with meeknesse the ingrafted word which is able to saue your Soules Note then That it alone is able to doe all that which wee can require So Act. 20.32 it is sayde to bee able to build vs vp by grace heere and to bring vs to the inheâ—…itance of glorie heereafter and further we cannot wish for Gal. 3.15 Brethren I speake to you after the manner of men tho â—…t be but a mans testament yet if it â—…ee confirmed no man disannulleth nor addeth thereto Note then That it is farre greater impietie to adde to Christs owne Testament confirmed by His Blood The examples also of the Apostles â—…roue this for as for doctrine of Sainct Paul it is written thus Act. 28.23 That when they had appointed him a day â—…here came many to his lodging to whom hee â—…xpounded and testified the Kingdome of GOD perswading them concerning IESVS â—…oth out of the Law of Moses and out of the Prophets And Act. 26.22 Saying â—…one other things than those things which â—…he Prophets and Moses did say should come As hee then teached nothing but that which was contained in Scripture before him so neither should Pastors now teach but what is contained in Scripture before them Therefore Gal. 1.8 Hâ—e is accursed altho an Angell that teacheth beside that And in disputing it is
sayde Act. 17.2 And Paul as his manner was went in vnto them and three Sabbath dâ—yes reasoned with them out oâ—… the Scriptures No word of Tradition See Apollo's lyke practise Act. 18.28 just conforme heereto In lyke manner for believing Act. 24.14 This I confesse sayeth Paul that after the way which they call Heresie so worship I the GOD of my Fathers believing all thinges which are written in the Law and Prophets No word then of vnwritten Traditions which he made a ground of his Fayth So Act. 17.11 The Bereans searched the Scriptures daylie whether these things were so to wit as Paul taught therefore manie believed Note then That it was not for anie warrand of traditions that they believed but vpon warrand of Scripture onlie that they grounded their fayth 2. Witnessing of Antiquiâ—ie THe holie and divine inspired Scriptures are all sufficient sayeth Athanasius for the full instruction of trueth Athan. lib. contra Gentes Whence also sayeth Tertullian Take from Heretickes wherein they agree with Heathens that by Scripture onelie they may debate their questions and they cannot stand Tertull lib. de resurr carn cap. 3. 3. Confession of Partie ALL Doctrines of Fayth and Manners sayeth Bellarmine which is simplie necessarie for all men are plainlie set downe in Scripture Bell. lib. 4. de verbo cap. 11. § vltimo §. 3. That the Scripture is plaine in all thinges necessarie for salvation to know altho in all places generallie it be not alyke perspicuous 1. Authoritie of Scripture PSalme 19.8 The Commandement of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes Psal 119.105 Thy word is a lampe vnto my feet and a light vnto my path Vers 130. The entrance of thy word giveth light and it giveth vnderstanding even vnto the simple Note then If that the verie entrance giveth light and vnderstanding to the simple then what doeth a daylie progresse And if the simple get vnderstanding thereby how can it bee so obscure that the learned onelie should reade the same allanerlie 2. Tim. 3.15 From a child thou hast knowne the Scripture Note If children then may attaine to the knowledge of Scripture then it is not so obscure that those of perfect age cannot know the same 2. Pet. 1.19 We haue also a more sure word of Prophecie whereto ye doe well in taking heed as to a light that shineth in a darke place c. Note then That as a shyning light can not bee called darke it selfe which illuminateth darke places so neyther can Gods worde which illuminateth our darke vnderstandinges 2. Cor. 4.3 But if our Gospell be hid it is to them that are lost in whom the god of this worlde hath blynded their myndes that belieue not c. Note then That it is not the fault of Scripture that it is hid to anie more than it is the fault of the cleare Sunne that a blinde man seeth it not 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie IN those places which are clearlie set downe in Scripture sayeth Augustine all those thinges are to bee found which contayne both Fayth and Manners Aug. lib. 2. de doct Christiana cap. 9. Which Chrysostome lykewyse avoweth saying no lesse Homil. 3. in 2. ad Thess 3. Confession of Partie BEllarmine affirmeth that all doctrines of Fayth and Manners which are simplie necessarie for all men are plainlie set downe in Scripture Bell. lib. 4. de verbo c. 11. § vltimo §. 4. That the Scripture is to bee read by the People and therefore that the same for that ende should be translated in their vulgar language 1. Authoritie of Scripture DEuter 6.6.7 And these thinges which I command thee this day shall bee in thine heart and thou shalt teach them diligentlie to thy Children and shalt talke of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou lyest downe and when thou rysest vp c. Deuter. 29.29 The secret thinges belong to the Lord our God but these thinges which are revealed belong to vs and to our children for over that we may doe all the words of this Law Note then That the People are bound to know Gods worde because they are bound to obey Gods word See in lyke manner Deut. 17.18.19 c. the booke of the Law commanded to bee read by the King for the same ende that hee may learne to obey the same As also Ioshua 1.8 by the Iudge of the people And last of all by all sort of people as is cleare Deut. 6.6.7.9 And by this subsequent testimonie to wit Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them yee thinke to haue eternall lyfe and they are these that testifie of mee Those of Baerea therefore Act. 17.11 They searched the Scriptures daylie whether those things were so teaching all people to follow their example Ephes 6.17 Take the sword of the spirit which is the word of GOD. Note then That all Christians whatsoever because all are spirituall warriours are bidden arme themselues with the Scripture so that who forbids them the knowledge thereof they make them naked before their spirituall enemie Col. 3.16 Let the word dwell in you plenteouslie that thereby yee may teach one another and be ye filled with Knowledge Col. 1.9 Note then That this is farre from popish ignorance and their forbidding the people to reade the Word of GOD for â—…o how can it dwell in them plenteouslie and they bee filled with the knowledge thereof 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie CHrysostome speaking thus of the forbidding thereof It is sayeth hee the working of the inspiration of the Divell not suffering to looke in the treasure lest wee should attaine to the ritches thereof What a Pest then is it to thinke that the reading of the Scriptures belongeth only to Clergie men Chrys hom 2. in Matth. Whence hee sayeth then I beseech you all that are seculare men to get Bibles to your selues the medicine of the soule and if ye will not get more get the New Testament Chrys hom 9. ad Coloss Heere-vnto witnesseth also Theodoret. lib. 5. de curand graec affect 3. Confession of Partie IT is manifest sayth Bishop Espenseus by the Apostles doctrine Col. 3.16 and by the practise of the Church that of olde the publicke vse of scripture was permitted to people And so sayth Alphonsus de castro verbo scriptura §. 5. That the Scripture is the perfect rule of Fayth and Manners and the infallible supreame Iudge in controversies of Religion 1. Authoritie of Scripture ISai. 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimonie if they speake not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Note then That in Gods worde is the last supreame and onlie infallible decision to bee had concerning eyther Fayth or Manners and therefore the sentence of all men whatsoever is to bee tryed â—…hereby and reduced therevnto The Bareans therefore Act. 17.11 searched the Scriptures whether those things were so that Paul taught vnto them altho an Apostle and famous for manie miracles also Deut.
12.8.32 And yee shall not doe everie man what is right in his owne eyes but whatsoever I command you obserue to doe it Thou shalt not adde thereto nor diminish from it Ezek. 20.18.19 But I sayd vnto their Children in the Wildernesse Walke yee not in the statutes of your Fathers neither obserue their judgementes nor defile your selues with their Idols I am the Lord your God walke in my statutes and keepe my judgements to doe them Note then That mens traditions nor ancient custome is not the rule of faith nor manners but onlie the Lords Word Mark 7.7.8 In vaine doe they worship mee teaching for doctrines the traditions of men For laying aside the Commandement of God yee holde the traditions of men Matth. 22.29 Therefore doe yee erre not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God Note then that Scripture is the entire rule of trueth the ignorance whereof is the cause of errour amongst the seduced people 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THis cause sayth Augustine requireth a judge and who shal be judge let the Apostle bee iudge because by the Apostle Christ speaketh Aug. de gratia lib. arb cap. 18. Let vs stand therefore to the iudgement of the holie inspyred scriptures sayth Basill which God hath set over vs. Epist 80. ad Eustathium 3. Confession of Partie BAsill sayeth Bellarmine willeth that both parties stand to the judgement of Scripture which none can reiect §. 6. That the Scripture is not a dumbe Iudge but that GOD by it speaketh to His Church 1. Authoritie of Scripture IOhn 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them yee thinke to haue eternall life and these are they that testifie of mee Note then That in the same sense that Christ calleth the Scripture a witnesse it may bee called a judg and in the same manner to pronounce judgement in controversies as it beareth witnesse Seeing then a witnesse must haue speach else hee can bee no witnesse in that the Scripture then is saide to beare witnesse it followeth also that the Scripture after a sort speaketh Iohn 7.42 Hath not the Scripture sayde that Christ commeth of the seed of David c. Loe speach expresly attributed to Scripâ—…ure Againe Heb. 12.5 And yee haue forgotten the exhortation that speaketh to you as vnto Children c. In lyke manner Luke 16.29 Abraham saith vnto him They haue Moses the Prophets let them heare them Ergo It implyeth that their writs doe â—…n a manner speake seeing that wee are â—…idden hâ—are them Heb. 11.4 By faith Abell offered vnto God a more excellent sacrifice than Kain by which he obtained witnes that he was righteous God testifying of his gifts and by it hee being dead yet speaketh If Abell then being dead is saide yeâ—… to speake by that record of his fayth which is set downe in Scripture eveâ—… so may the Prophets and Apostleâ—… beeing dead bee saide lykewise yet to speake by these records of their doctrine of fayth which is set downe in Scripture and which is the Christian foundation whereon the Church is built Ephes 2.20 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie GOD himselfe speaketh to vs by the Scripture sayeth Cyrillus Alex. lib. 11. in Iohn c. 21. And even Christ himselfe this verie day is crying vnto vs in his Gospels sayth Chrysostom homil in Psal 95. 3. Consent of Partie THE Scripture therefore sayeth Bellarmine both by wordes and similitudes everie where cryeth that a sinner in no sort can dispose himselfe to receiue grace Bell. lib. 6. de lib. arb c. 5. § huc denique CHAP. II. OF THE CHVRCH §. 1. That the estate of the true Church is not ever visible to all men and chieflie to the enemies thereof 1. Authoritie of Scripture I. KIngs 19.10 And Eliah sayde I haue bene very zealous for the LORD of Hoasts for the children of Israel haue forsaken thy covenant throwne downe thine Altars and slaine thy Prophets and I onlie am left and they seeke my life I aske Where was then a visible companie of true and publicke worshippers at this time in Israel And that the like estate of true professours was at one time both in Israel and Iudah is evident out of 2. Chron. 15. 8. and 1. King 15.9 the whole Kingdome of Iudah beeing idolatrous in Abiiam's latter reigne and at the same tyme whole Israel being idolatrous vnder Ieroboam Againe 2. Chron. 28.24 it is recorded how at once both Iudah was altogether idolatrous vnder King Ahaz and the Lords publicke worship vtterlie was abrogated and at the same tyme Israel was even so vnder their Kinges Pekah and Hoshea Of this tyme it is sayde in Historie 2 King 17.16 And Israel left all the Commandementes of the Lord their God and made them molten Images even two calues and made a groue and worshipped all the hoste of Heaven and served Baal Vers 18. So there was none left but the tribe of Iudah onlie and Iudah kept not the Commandementes of the Lord their God but walked also in the statutes of Israel which they made And so the Lord reiected all the seede of Israel and afflicted them c. And of this tyme also it is sayde in prophecie by Ieremie Ier. 5.11 For the house of Israel and the house of Iudah haue dealt verie treacherouslie against mee sayeth the Lord. And by Ezechiel 23.13 it is sayde that these two sisters in their spirituall whoredomes tooke both one way Note then When both this people which onelie were then counted Gods Church made defection with their Kings â—…n common to the publicke practise of â—…dolatrie onlie and abrogated the publicke worship of the true God alluterlie where was then the face of a visible companie of true professours having a pubâ—…icke worship Therefore Zeph. 3.12 the Lord sayeth of his true Church Then I will leaue in the midst of thee an afflicted and poore people that shall trust in the Name of the Lord. Which is farre from an outward pompous and a glorious visibilitie to all Marke 14.27 And Iesus saide vnto them All yee shal be offended because of mee this Night for it is written I will smyte the Shepheard and the Sheepe shall bee scattered I aske then when this was done Where was a visible companie to all of true professours to be pointed at Revel 12.14 And to the Woman were given two Winges of a great Eagle that shee might flie into the Wildernesse vnto her place vvhere shee is nowrished for a time and times and halfe a time from the face of the Serpent This womâ—… the Romanists themselues as Lyra andâ—…thers interprete to be the true Churcâ—… lurking vnder persecution as Elias dâ—… three yeares and an halfe in the Wâ—…dernesse where hee was miraculousâ—… fed I aske then at this same time shee could lurke vnder persecution aâ—… yet bee gloriouslie and conspicuousâ—… visible to all Or Rev. 13.3 When the time of Antichrists prevailiâ—g the Earth shall follow the Beast whâ—… shall such visibilitie be Even no wheâ—… as the Rhemists on the 2.
Thess 2. grant but a communion in heart onlâ—… and a practise of worship in secret 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie SOmetimes the Church is not appâ—…rent sayeth Augustine to wâ—… when wicked persecuters aboue measuâ—…rage against her Aug. epist. 80. ad Hesâ—…chium Therefore the Church lookinâ—… foorth as the Moone hath oft times hâ—… eclypses saith Ambrose lib. 4. hexam c. 〈…〉 3. Confession of Partie THE confession of our Adversariâ—… is likewise thus that in the time oâ—… Antichrist the communion of Christian in the true Church shal be onlie in hearâ—… and their worship onlie in secret for sâ—… sayeth the Rhemists on 2. Thess 2.3 So that our difference is not so much in the â—…sition of invisibilitie as in the appliâ—…tion vnto persons and tymes 〈…〉 2. That the visible Church of Christian professours may erre from the trueth in common both Pastours people altho not all and everie one 1. Authoritie of Scripture ISai. 1.21 How is the faithfull citie become an Harlot Ier. 5.11 For the House of Israel and the House of Iudah â—…aue dealt verie treacherouslie â—…gainst mee sayth the Lord. Ier. 2.8 The Priests said not Where is the Lord and they that handle the Law knew me not the Pastours also transgressed against mee and the Prophets prophesied by Baall and vvalked after thinges â—…hat doe not profit Loe then what a generall Apostasie of all sorts is set downe heere Againe v. 26. As the Thiefe is ashamed vvhen he is found so is the House of Israel ashamed they their Kinges their Princes and their Priestes and their Prophets saying to a stocke Thou art my Father c. Beholde then againe no sort excepted Isai 9.16 The leaders of this people cause them to erre and they that are led of them are destroyed Note then that the leaders in a Church and people that are led may both make defection and so a whole Church which consisteth of both Isai 56.10 His watch-men are blinde they are all ignorant they are all dumbe Dogs c. Note then howe generall a defection may be amongst Teachers in the Church of God and howe the chiefe Pastoures haue first made Apostasie let these examples verifie 2. King 16.11 And Vriah the Priest built an Altar according to all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus c. Againe Matth. 26.65 Then the High Priest rent his garments saying Hee hath blasphemed what neede wee Witnesses anie farder c. Marke 14.64 Yee haue heard â—…is blasphemie How thinke ye vvho â—…ll condemned him to bee guiltie of â—…eath Note then howe grosselie also the â—…erie hie-priests vnder the Law erred â—…nd the chiefe Pastor that sate in Moses haire erroniouslie decreeted with his â—…hole counsell the one in making an â—…olatrous Altar and erecting idolatrous â—…orship and the other pronouncing â—…e trueth in Christs owne mouth to bee â—…asphemie and himselfe worthie to â—…e And therefore how groslie hee â—…d his Church may erre who pretenâ—…eth nowe to bee the Christian High-â—…riest see § 5. 2. Thess 2.3 Let no man deâ—…iue you by anie meanes for that â—…ay shall not come except there come 〈…〉 falling away first and that man 〈…〉 sinne bee revealed the sonne of â—…rdition Note then that in the Christian Church 〈…〉 great Apostasie from the Trueth is â—…re-tolde before that by the preaching â—…gaine of the same clearlie Antichrist be â—…vealed and made knowne So that in the tyme of his prevayling no publicâ—… exercise shall bee of the true Christiâ—… worship but in secret onlie and this 〈…〉 verie Rhemists on this place confesse 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie ANd the poyson of Arrius sayeâ—… Lyrinensis did not onlie infect a pâ—… of the Church but almost the whole woâ—… Vnic. Lyrin adu hereses c. 6. So thâ—… the whole world sobbed and admired tâ—… it was made Arrian as testifieth S. Ieroâ—… 3. Confession of Partie OF that time when the Arrian herâ—… domined over the whole world S. â—…rome wrote that the ship of the Chuâ—… was almost sunke sayth Gregorie of Vaâ—…tia analys lib. 6. c. 4. § probatio 4. §. 3. That the Church of Rome in pâ—…cular may erre and as shall 〈…〉 proven hath erred by all the pâ—…ticulars ensuing 1. Authoritie of Scripture ROm. 11.20 Because of vâ—…beliefe they vvere broken oâ—… and thou standest by faith Be nâ—… high minded but feare Note Now then what greater hiâ—… mindednesse can the Romane Churâ—… show than to say shee cannot erre and if this were true what needed her to feare and yet I hope shee cannot exeeme her selfe from this Apostolicke exhortation which is so expreslie written to her and biddeth her feare Againe ver 21.22 For if God spared not the naturall branches take heede lest hee spare not thee Beholde therefore the goodnesse and severitie of God on them which fell severitie but towards thee goodnesse if thou continue in his goodnesse otherwise thou also shalt bee cut off Note then that the Apostle showeth that the Church of Rome as well as other Churches of the Gentiles may fall away from the trueth and bee cut off from being a true Church otherwise if shee had infallibilitie this his exhortation should haue beene altogether needlesse neither should hee haue spoken doubtinglie after this manner saying if thou continue but particularlie excepted her as one that could not but continue 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THey haue not Peters heritage saith Ambrose who haue not Peters faith §. 4. That personall succession to the Chaires of true Teachers priviledgeth not their successours from errour 1. Authoritie of Scripture EXod 32.21 And Moses saide to Aaron What did this people vnto thee that thou hast brought so great a sinne vpon them Loe then How the verie first sitter in the high priest's chaire falleth filthilie in grossest idolatrie 2. Kings 16.11.16 And Vriah the Priest built an Altar according to all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus c. Thus did Vriah the Priest according to all that King Ahaz commanded Note then That notwithstanding of his succeeding personallie to the office of the high priest-hood hee performeth all the idolatrous King's commandements and so foullie erreth Mat. 26.65 Then the high Priest rent his garments saying Hee hath blaspemed Note then That the high Priests succession nor place freeth him not from erring in calling CHRISTES trueth blasphemie Mat. 23.2 The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses chaire But yet Iohn 7.48 Haue anie of the Rulers and Pharisees believed in him Yea more-over Mat. 16.6 Then Iesus said vnto them Take heede and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadduces Verse 12. Then they vnderstood that hee bade them not beware of the leaven of the Pharisees but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadduces Note then That notwithstanding of their sitting in Moses chaire they both rejected Christ and his trueth and taught contrarie falsehood neither believing in the Sonne of God themselues nor yet truelie teaching the people of God concerning their MESSIAS 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie NIcephorus doeth testifie
should bee proper and not common no not in opinion And agayne They should also sayeth hee bee al-to-gether inseparable Bell. lib. 4. de notis Ecclesiae cap. 2. § ac primum § tertio Which being applyed to Antiquitie Multitude Vniversalitie and such others will proue clearlie That they are no true Notes of the true CHVRCH FINIS A Table of the Contents of this Booke CHAP. I. Of Scripture § 1. That the Apocrypha is no canonicke Scripture 2. That Scripture containeâ—h all things necessarie for Salvation to know without vncertaine Traditions 3. That Scripture is plaine in all things necessarie for Salvation to know 4. That the Scripture should bee read by the people and therefore translated in-to their vulgar Tongue 5. That Scripture is the perfect rule of Fayth and Manners and the infallible supreame Iudge in all controversies of Religion 6. That the Scripture is not a dumbe Iudge but that GOD by it speaketh to his Church CHAP. II. Of the Church § 1. That the estate of the true Church is not ever visible to all men and chiefelie to the enemies there-of 2. That the visible Church of Christian professours may erre from the trueth in common altho not all and everie one 3. That the Church of Rome may erre and hath erred 4. That personall succession freeth not from errour 5. That the Iewish Church pretended no lesse infallibilitie than the Romane doeth and yet erred 6. That the VVord of GOD purelie preached and due administration of Sacraments is the true marke of a true Church 7. That Multitude is no note of a true Church neither personall succession nor Duration 8. That outward glorie and visibilitie is no note of a true Church 9. Thâ—t Miracles are no note of a true Church CHAP. III. Of Peter and the Pope's Supremacie § 1. That Peter had no supremacie of power over the rest of the Apostles and so neither should the Popes over their successours 2. That the Pope is not the Head Husband and foundation of the Church and therefore that all Christians are not bound to bee subject to him CHAP. IV. Of the Churches right Worship § 1. That prayers and all publicke worship should bee in a knowne language 2. That Christ is our onlie Mediator in Heaven and therefore that wee should goe to Him and by Him vnto GOD onlie 3. That the Saincts are not to bee invocated 4. That they know not our hearts nor our necessities and therefore are not to bee prayed vnto 5. That no religious worship of Dulia is to bee given to anie creature 6. That no religious worship is due to the Virgine Marie CHAP. V. Of Images § 1. That it is vnlawfull to represent GOD the Father by an olde Man 2. That no adoration is due to Images nor any signe there-of 3. That the practise of the olde Idolaeters and new Romanists jumplie agree 4. That Images are not fit books for the instruction of Laicks but onlie GODS VVord CHAP. VI. That no Meates are to bee abstayned from for conscience sake CHAP. VII That the Marriage of the Clergie is lawfull CHAP. VIII Of Sinne. § 1. That concupiscence in the Godlie is properlie sinne 2. That all sinne by nature is mortall CHAP. IX Of Predestination That wee are predestinated of free Grace and not for fore-seene works CHAP. X. Of Vocation § 1. That wee haue no merites of congruitie as naturall preparations to our effectuall calling 2. That our conversion is of miere grace and not partlie of our owne free-will CHAP. XI Of Iustification § 1. That wee are justified by Fayth onelie 2. That no inherent righteousnesse in vs is the cause of our justification 3. That Christ's righteousnesse onelie is imputed to vs vnto our absoluâ—ion CHAP. XII Of Sanctification § 1. That none can keepe the Law perfectlie in this lyfe 2. That none can worke anie workes of Supererogation CHAP. XIII Of Glorification § 1. That our good workes merite not eternall lyfe 2. That the Sainctes leaue no meritorious works nor sufferings behinde them to helpe others CHAP. XIV Of Purgatorie § 1. That Christ's Blood onlie purgeth perfectlie from all sinne 2. That Christ delyvereth from all punishment heere-after 3. That no man can in anie measure satisfie 4. That the soules of the Godlie at death immediatelie goe to Heaven CHAP. XV. Of certayntie of Salvation That the Godlie may bee assured of their salvation CHAP. XVI Of Perseverance That the Godlie can never totallie fall from grace nor finallie perish CHAP. XVII Of Baptisme That the children of the Godlie dying are not for want of Baptisme deprived of God's blessed vision CHAP. XVIII Of the LORD'S Supper § 1. That Christ's glorified bodie is onlie in the Heavens 2. That Christ's bodie is not in manie places at once invisiblie and vnpalpablie 3. That after consecration the substance of Bread and VVine remaineth 4. That Christ is not received by the bodilie mouth 5. That Christ is not received by the VVicked 6. That the people should not bee deprived of the cup. CHAP. XIX Of the Masse § 1. That the popish priests haue no calling to sacrifice Christ's bodie in the Masse 2. That the Masse is no propitiatorie sacrifice but al-together derogatorie to Christs CHAP. XX. OF ANTICHRIST § 1. VVhat sort of Adversarie hee is 2. The tyme of his comming 3. The place in generall where hee is to bee found 4. The place in speciall where his seate is 5. His Qualities and Actions whereby to know him and first his excessiue Pryde 6. His Blasphemie 7. His Idolatrie 8. His Crueltie 9. His Simonie 10. His false Miracles 11. His Name and Marke 12. His daylie consumption and full over-throw FINIS
that Nestorius Macedonius arch-hereticks succeeded to S. Andrew the Apostle in the Church of Constantinople called before Byzantium Niceph. lib. 8. chronol cap. 6. 3. Confession of Partie THat almost all Arch-hereticks were eyther Bishops or Priestes sayeth Belarmine Lib. 1. de Pont. Cap. 8. § 4. §. 5. That the Iewish Church pretended nâ—… lesse infallibilitie than the Romane doeth and had farre greater and more particular promises and yeâ—… erred 1. Authoritie of Scripture AS for the pretence wee see it seâ—… downe Ierem. 18.18 in these wordes Come let vs devise devices against Ieremie for the Law shall not perish from the Priest nor Counsell from the Wise nor the â—…ord from the Prophet And thereâ—…re from the lyke words in Malachie 2. 〈…〉 which the Papists would haue thus The Priests lips shall preserue knowledge and they shall seeke the Law â—…t his mouth they gather the High â—…riests infallibilitie vnder the Law ex â—…acto and conclude the Popes infallibiâ—…tie vnder the Gospell ex aequo alleadâ—…ing to the same purpose that of Deuterâ—…omie 7.10 In lyke manner As for Promises it is saide Psal â—…32 14 The Lord hath chosen Sion for an habitation and hath said This is my rest for ever And againe Isai 33.20 Looke vpon Sion the citie of our solemnities â—…hine eyes shall beholde Ierusalem 〈…〉 quyet habitation a Tabernacle that shall not bee taken downe not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed neither shall anie of the cords â—…hereof bee broken Note then And aske where ever anie such promises are made vnto Rome but in the contrarie a fearfull destruction foâ—… her grosse idolatrie is clearlie fore-told Revelation 18. And last of all for praises it is said of Ierusalem and Gods Church there Psal 87.3 Glorious things are spoken of thee O Citie of God But of Rome the most glorious thing that is spokeâ—… of her is That shee should bee a gloriouâ—… Harlot Revel 17.4.18 And Thessalonieâ—… equalleth her in that which the Apostle spake of the faythfull onelie of his tymâ—… in her and where-of the Papists so much glorie which by collation inspection of the places is moste cleare and evident Rom. 1.8 2. Thes 1.4 §. 6. That the VVord of GOD purelie preached vnder which the due administration of the Sacraments is comprehended is the onely cleare and truest note of a true Church 1. Authoritie of Scripture DEut. 4.8 And vvhat Nation is there so great that hath statutes and judgements so righteous as all this Law vvhich I set before you this day Psal 147.19 He sheweth His Word to Iacob His statutes and His judgements to Israel Hee hath not dealt so with anie Nation c. Wee see then that Gods people was ever differenced from all other nations and knowne by his word and ordinances to bee his peculiar Church Iohn 10.27 My Sheepe heare my voyce and I know them and they follow Mee Note then Where Christs voyce soundeth and is believed and obeyed there is his Church Iohn 8.31 If yee continue in My Word then are yee My Disciples indeede Act. 2.42 And they continued stedfastlie in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers Note then That continuance in Christs trueth and apostolicke doctrine with the holie exercise of prayer and participation of Sacraments is a cleare note to know a true Church 1. Tim. 3.15 Which is the Church of the living God the Pillar and ground of trueth The meaning whereof the Apostle giveth Heb. 3.6 saying Whose house are vvee if vvee keepe fast the confidence and the rejoycing of the hope firme to the ende Note therefore That the Church is so called and knowne to be such by keeping fast and firme the trueth of Gods Word in profession and that confidence and hope that it breedeth in our hearts sure to the ende 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THe Church consisteth not in Walles but in the trueth of doctrine sayth Ierome so that there is the Church where â—…rue fayth is Hierom in Psal 133. and â—…hey are good Catholicks onelie who â—…ollow the right fayth sayth Augustine lib. de vera religione cap. 5. 3. Confession of Partie THe confession lykewyse of our Adversaries is thus The Church consisteth not in men sayth Lyra in respect of their power or dignitie Ecclesiasticke ☜ or Civill because manie Princes and Popes too haue beene found to haue made defection from the faith Therefore the Church consisteth in those in whome is true knowledge and the confession of faith and the trueth of God Lyra in Matth. cap. 16. §. 7. That multitude is no note of a true Church 1. Authoritie of Scripture 1. KIngs 19.10 And Elias saide I haue beene verie zealous for the LORD of Hoasts for the children of Israel haue forsaken thy covenant cast downe thine Altars and slaine thy Prophets and I even I onlie am left and they seeke my life I aske then If a visible multitude was a note here of the true Church in Israel or the two tribes of Iudah being compared with these ten which of them was the greater multitude or the whole twelue compared with the whole worlde beside which of these were maniest and consequentlie by the note of multitude who was the true Church Isai 1.9 Except the Lord of Hoastes had left to vs a verie small remnant wee should haue beene like Sodome and like vnto Gomorrah Note then That the true professours are called a verie small remnant which is farre from being the greatest multitude of men Ier. 3.14 I vvill take one of a Citie and two of a Familie and bring you to Sion Note then That one of a Citie being the fewest that can bee that the greater multitude is left vncalled to the trueth effectualie Mat. 7.13 Enter in at the strait gate for vvide is the gate and broad is the vvay that leadeth to destruction and manie there bee vvho enter in thereat Note then If few enter in at the strait gate that leadeth to salvation and manie at the wide gate that leadeth to damnation then paucitie should bee rather a note of the true Church than anie wise multitude seeing Rev. 13. the whole World is saide to follow the beast Luke 12.32 Feare not little Flocke for it is your Fathers pleasure to giue to you a Kingdome Note then If Christs Flocke bee little then multitude is no good note to know the same thereby Examples of the paucitie of Gods true Church in the house of Abraham compared with the rest of the world and of the true professours at Christs Passion verefie this point 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THe multitude of Associates shall no wise show thee to bee a Catholicke but an Hareticke sayeth Ierome dialog contra Pelag. lib. 3. Therefore where are they that define the Church by multitudes sayeth Gregorie Nazienzen and contemneth so the little Flocke of Christ Oratione de seipso contra Arrianos 3. Confession of Partie THat time when the Church seemed to lurke sayeth
gratia c. 12. 3. Confession of Partie THe confession lyke-wyse of our Adversaries is this Lyra Carthusian on Iohn 10.28 declare this to bee the cause of the Godlies perseverance because their predestination say they can-not bee frustrate which it destinating them to glorie will not suffer neither tentation nor interveaning persecution bee able to separate them from Christ CHAP. XVII OF BAPTISME §. That the Children of the Faythfull departing are not deprived of the blessed vision of God through want of Baptisme 1. Authoritie of Scripture GEnes 17.7 And I wil establish my covenant betweene mee and thee thy seede after thee in their generations Marke then That not onelie are the Parentes within the covenant of grace but their children also and their seede after them and even as the female was comprehended vnder the male because vncapable of circumcision and so saved amongst the Iewes so are Infants dying in the Mothers wombe comprehended vnder their believing Parents because vncapable then of Baptisme and so are saved amongst Christians if they belong to election Exod. 20.5 I am a jealous God vvho visiteth the sinnes of the fathers vpon the children to the third and fourth generation of them that hate mee but show mercie to the thousandes of them that loue mee and keepe my commandements Note then That the Lord's promises are to shew mercie to thousands of the generation of the godlie excepting neither age or sexe nor whether they die in the wombe wanting Baptisme or liue in the World and get the same Acts 2.39 For to you is the promise and to your children and to all that are farre off vvhom-so-ever the Lord our God shall call Ierem. 1.5 Before thou camest out of the vvombe I sanctified thee Note then That if an Infant may bee sanctifyed in the Mothers wombe then that Infant dying there-in may bee saved for whom-so-ever the Lord sanctifyeth them also hee saveth Luk. 1.41 And it came to passe when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Marie the Babe did leape in her Wombe Beholde then heere a divine fayth infused in the heart of the Baptist while as yet hee was in his Mothers wombe able if hee had died there-in perfectlie to haue saved him And who can certainlie defyne of God's secret working or deny the salvation of others Ioshua 5.5 Now all the people that came out vvere circumcised but all the people that vvere borne in the Wildernesse by the vvay as they came out of Aegypt them they circumcised not Remarke then That as the children that died during those fourtie yeares in the Wildernesse were not for want of circumcision therefore condemned vnder the Law so neither are the children of Christians for want of Baptisme when it can-not bee had condemned now vnder the Gospell It being not the want but contempt of Sacraments that is judged damnable 1. Cor. 7.14 For the vnbelieving Husband is sanctified by the Wife and the vnbelieving Wife is sanctified by the Husband els vvere your children vncleane but now they are holie Note then If the children of one onlie believing parent bee esteemed holie how much more then should the children of Parents both believing bee esteemed holie and so charitablie judged of if they die without Baptisme to bee eternallie saved 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie WHat Reason or Nature sayth Bernard teacheth that none of those who may die can obtaine internall and eternall salvation whose bodie outwardlie is not sprinkled with the element of water And therefore he affirmeth thereafter that in case contempt bee not the cause that then the Parents faith is not onelie profitable but sufficient also for the chylde Bern. Epist. 77. 3. Confession of Partie As to Infants the Churches faith and of them that offer it is imputed as their owne Even so the will and desire of Baptisme sayeth Cassander which the Church and speciallie the Parents haue is accepted by the same indulgent Father who accepteth of the will as the deed and tyeth none to impossibilities nor his grace simplie to the externall action of Sacraments Cassand consult art 9. And of this same mynde also Alphonsus de Castro testifyeth Gerson and Cajetan to bee Alphons de Castro de Heres verbo Baptismus And Lombard speaking of the true sense of these wordes Iohn 3. Except a man bee borne anew c. sayeth But this is to bee vnderstood sayeth hee of them who may but yet despyseth to bee baptized Lomb. lib. 4. dist 4. § his autem CHAP. XVIII OF THE LORD'S Supper §. I. That Christ Iesus glorified Bodie is onlie in the Heavens 1. Authoritie of Scripture ACts 3.21 Whome the Heaven must receiue vp or containe vntill the times of the restitution of all things Note then That the Heavens must containe Christ's glorified bodie till the ende of the Worlde as the Beliefe sayth accordinglie That from that place shall Hee come to judge the Quicke and the Dead Matth. 26.11 The Poore yee haue al-wayes vvith you but Mee yee shall not haue al-wayes vvith you Remarke then That the Popish practise would make Christ a liar while as the Priests say that they haue Christ alwayes with them bodilie betweene their fingers in their daylie Masses Iohn 16.28 I came from the Father and am come in the World againe I leaue the World and goe to the Father Note then As hee was bodilie present in the World when hee came from the Father so hee showeth that according to that presence hee hath left the World when hee returned to his Father and is now onlie spirituallie present as hee promised with his owne to the end of the World Matth. 28.20 Matth. 24.23 Then if anie man shall say vnto you Loe heere is Christ or there is hee belieue him not So neither should Christians now belieue those consening Priests that say Heere is Christ in the Masse Host or there in the Pixe or Procession Acts 7.56 And hee saide Beholde I see the Heavens opened and the Sonne of Man standing at the right hand of God Beholde heere then the witnessing of the first Martyre where hee declareth the glorified bodie of Christ onelie to bee in Heaven 2. Witnessing of Antiquitie THere is one person sayth Augustine God and Man and Christ is both these everie-where by that where-by hee is God but in Heaven by that where-by hee is Man Aug. Epist. 507. ad Dardanum For when hee was on Earth hee was not then in Heaven and now being in Heaven hee is not to bee had on Earth sayeth Vigilius lib. 4. contra Eutychen And so sayeth Fulgentius the verie same Lib. 2. ad Thrasimundum 3. Confession of Partie HEE left the World according to his bodilie presence sayeth Lyra on Iohn 16.28 and hee sayde Yee shall not haue mee al-wayes with you by my corporall presence other-wise hee sayth I shall bee with you to the worlds ende Lyra in Matth. 26.11 §. 2. That Christ's Bodie is not in manie places at once invisiblie and vnpalpablie 1. Authoritie of Scripture HEb 2.17 Wherefore
Frier Mantuan in his Booke Of the calamities of tyme saying All things are to bee solde at Rome Churches Priesthoods Masses holie Orders c. Prayers yea Heaven and God Himselfe are to bee solde there Whence it is that their owne Duaren testifyeth in his Booke for defence of the liberties of the French Church that in the time of Pius the third for the annats of benefices in three yeares the Pope drew out of France fyue and twentie hundreth thousand Crownes and for dispensation to haue two or three Benefices together that hee got two hundreth thousands of Crownes Whence also it is that the Abbot of Vrsperg in his Chronicle f. 321. sayth That the water-floods of all the Treasures of the Earth did flow to Rome to quench her thirst of Money which was al-wayes vnsatiable and which her Chancellarie Penitentiarie Courts sufficientlie can testifye §. 10. His false Miracles or lying VVonders 2. THess 2.9 Whose comming is after the working of Satan with all power and signes and lying wonders Now Augustine de vnitate Ecclesiae calleth these Miracles lying not onlie because they induce to lies but because they are either feigned by men and so are not true or else they are the tricks of lying spirits and so either à falso or ad falsum Now that both these last sorts haue beene frequent and ordinarie in the Popish Church is more than notorious Of the first sort then their owne Lyra testifyeth thus in his exposition on Daniel 11. Some-tymes now also in the Church sayeth hee is a great deceiving of the people by miracles feigned by Priests and their adherents for their worldly gaine Of the second sort where-by they chiefelie ectablished their Purgatorie thus speaketh Chrysostome hom 29. in Matheum These voyces sayth hee that say I am the soule of such a one proceede from the fraude and deceit of the Devill for it is not the soule of the departed that sayth that but Satan who that hee may deceiue the hearers feigneth him-selfe to bee that foule Of all Miracles then that are pretended to bee wrought in the latter dayes by the Romane Church we may answere with Augustine's words saying The Lord hath made vs warie of these Miracle-workers fore-telling vs That in the last dayes false prophets shall aryse working signes wonders that they may seduce if it were possible the verie elect so that how manie Miracles they obtrude for them with as many arguments furnish they vs against them seeing no Church but the false Church of Antichrist is fore-tolde in the latter dayes to worke or pretende such §. 11. His Name and Marke HIs Name that most ancient Father Ireneus in his fyft Booke sayeth most probablie is Latinus devotating there-by that hee shall bee a Latine or a Romane Bishop And the imposing of which name on others is by professing of them-selues to bee Romanists that all men may acknowledge there-by subjection to his Sea and service or at least bee of the number of his name that is as Carthusian expoundeth that they bee at least so accounted by others that they are his followers But beside this hee hath a Marke which hee imprinteth on his speciall ones and which Augustine Beda Lyra and Carthusian expounded to bee a full conformitie to his obedience and doctrine and which Vnder Christ's Name in Hypocrisie say they they shall take vpon them in their fore-heads by an open and impudent profession and in their right hand by a resolute practise and action And which may clearlie now-a-dayes bee seene true both in those Iesuits and their Iesuited followers as-well in their practise of Idolatrie against GOD as also in their treacherous crueltie against man lyke-wyse §. 12. Of Antichrist's daylie consumption and finall destruction at last 2. THess 2.8 And then shall that wicked man bee revealed whom the LORD shall consume by the Breath of His Mouth and shall destroy with the brightnesse of His comming This Cardinall Cajetan so expoundeth By the Breath of His Mouth that is sayth hee by the spirituall vertue of the Worde of the Gospell piece and piece turning away men from Antichrist's following and leading them to imbrace the trueth of the Gospell And this is that victorie of the Lambe spoken of Revel 17.14 over those European Kings and Countreyes who before as his secular arme gaue their power with one accord to the Beast persecuted Christ's Servants but beeing converted now by the spirituall vertue of the Gospell hate that idolatrous Whoore and shall make her desolate and burne her with fyre for her threshing is come and yet but a little and the tyme of Harvest shall come Even so Come Lord Iesus FINIS Escapes in Printing IN the second Chapter pag. 42. to the VVitnessing of Antiquitie proving that Personall succession to the Chaires of true Teachers priviledgeth not from Errour is to bee added the example of Honorius the pretended successour of Peter and yet an Hereticke condemned in three famous Councels and avouched to bee such by a number of Auncientes Greeke and Latine as Tharasius Theodorus Epiphanius Psellus and Beda whome Bellarmine setteth downe Lib. 4. de Pont. cap. 11. § septimum To the Confession lyke-wyse of Partie concerning the Church of Rome is to be added these ingenuous words of Lyra to wit That manie Popes haue beene found to haue made apostacie from the trueth Lyra in Matth. 16. In the second chapter also pag. 55. the VVitnessing of Antiquitie is omitted to wit the testimonie of sainct Ambrose which proveth Miere personall succession to bee no note of the Church whose wordes are these They haue not Peter's heritage sayeth hee who haue not Peter's fayth Lib. 1. de penit cap. 6. Neyther doe wee proue the fayth by mens persons sayeth Tertullian but rather the persons by the fayth Lib. de praescrip contra hereticos cap. 3. The Confession also of our Adversaries is this It followeth not therefore sayth Bellarmine necessarilie that there is the Church where there is succession Bell. lib. 4. de Ecclesia cap. 8. § dico secundo In lyke manner in the same seconde chapter and pag. 55. the VVitnessing of Antiquitie is omitted to wit sainct Augustine's testimonie proving Duration or Antiquitie to be no note of the Church whose wordes are these The two Cities of the Church of the Godlie and Wicked sayeth hee are in this worlde both to remayne even to the ende Aug. in Psal 64. lib. 15. de civit Dei cap. 1. The Confession lyke-wyse of our adversare Partie is this Because manie even till Christ's tyme sayeth Cajetan shall continue in the doctrine of Antichrist therefore it is sayde Whome Hee shall abolish vvith the brightnesse of His comming Cajet in 2. Thess 2. And in a vvorde That all the Notes of the Church which the Papistes adduce except those that may bee reduced to the profession of the Trueth are no true Notes at all let this Confession of our adversare Partie suffice For true Notes sayeth Bellarmine