rrror then did it not rely vpon the truth of God and then it were no diuine Faith Againe if in that Faith by which we are saued we might be seduced to falshood See William Perkins pro. de fide n. 6. then by falshood we might be saued and by vntruth attaine to truth which parradoxe is both blasphemous hnd ridiculous Authorities of holy Scriptures consent of venerable antiquity and the vnanimous approbation of the vniuersall Church I could produce for the truth of these properties but I holde them needlesse for that in themselues they doe appeare most perspicuous and by no Protestants which I can reade of are they denyed as by all Catholicks is confessed I hauing thus farre waded at the length I began to obserue where this rule and direction is to be found that by consent therof I might be conuayed to that knowledge which so much importeth me and therefore I doe here inquire of the Protestant and he telleth me readily that true it is such a rule must guide all Christians and is to be found in their Church contained in their Bible and by them tearmed the word of the Lord and diuine Scriptures this they say is easie plaine and an infallible direction to all who seeke after Heauen and heauenly knowledge 5 But heere I am intangled with so many difficulties so that I am rather pusled clouded and encombred then any way freed cleared or ascertained of any truth First how can it appeare vnto mee that I may be assured that this Booke is the word of God and of that continuance and authority whereof I speake Wee see many workes beare Saint Augustines name and others of other Fathers which Protestants stoutly deny to bee theirs yet not so auncient as their Booke of Scripture must be if it be true Scripture indeed Heere I inquire so certaine knowledge of the Truth that in it selfe it be plaine for all men to perceiue it and so certaine that it should be impossible how it could be otherwise else as I haue before said it cannot guide or warrantise Diuine and infallible Faith But I haue euer found Protestants so extreamely pusled in this point that they know not how to extricate themselues their Answers were so weake different disjoynted and vncertaine that at the last they haue no refuge but to depend vpon the tradition of the Roman Church from whence they haue their Scriptures yea and those traditions also they must grant to be of infallible truth and Faith otherwise their Scriptures will not carry credite sufficient whereupon to build an infallible Faith and yet if they graunt this they suffocate and choake their owne cause in many essentiall and important points of difference twixt them and Catholicks so as this Rule ought to be cleare easie and infallible is no sooner looked vpon but it is presently lost in ambiguities doubts and vncertainties 6 And admit that they were able in the grounds of their Doctrine to produce any one infallible plaine certaine rule assuring me that the Booke they shew me is the word of God or written by such sacred Authors as they tell of which they are neuer able to doe See Iohn Cal in Praesat in no test Zanch. lib. de Sanctis fol. 412. tom 2. Beza in resp ad defen Cast Ite Beza in praefat no. test 1556. Car. moli in transla no. cest par 11. fol. 110. Ite parte 64. 65. 66. 74. 99. See confe at Hampton Court pag. 46. yet are they presently encumbred with another difficulty which maketh all vncertaine which is contained in it For in former times of a great part of this volume the Greeke translations were many the Latine more of late since Luther began from him his complices and Of-spring the translations haue bin diuers and so different that one condemneth another to Hell for corrupting falsifying and abusing of holy Scriptures yea Luther himselfe differeth in aboue 30. places as I can easily shew from himselfe in seuerall translations of St. Mathewes Gospell out of these into English we haue at the least 7. or eight seuarall versions of all which his Maiesty pronounceth there is neuer a good and the Geneua be the worst of all Heere I would see how the ignorant or learned amid such diuersity of opinions in men of knowledge in all sacred languages can with assurance and certainty select the true Translations from the false that it be impossible to erre herein for if in this case there can be no infallible rule and direction plaine and easie for all men to vnderstand as I haue before deliuered it is impossible that any man can be able to settle an infallible and neuer erring Faith vpon any thing contained in it when as he is not certaine what is the true word of God and what by Ignorance Error or wilfulnes is thrust in by humaine inuention and subiect to falshood 7 Heere not onely the Ignorant is so intangled with the Brackes and Toyles of vncertainty and instability so as he knoweth not which way to get out yea findeth impossibility by his owne industry euer whilest he shall liue to cleare himselfe But the Learned also are no lesse clouded with endlesse variety and difference among such as are no lesse yea more learned then themselues hauing no reason whereupon to relye their owne Iudgements before others and bee so assured thereof as that it is impossible they should be deceiued and consequently to frame an Article of Diuine Faith vpon the assurance thereof So as out of this head this rule of onely Scriptures hath lost not onely certainety but perspicuity also both which are very much behoofefull in the direction whereof I speake 8 And heere in my vnderstanding it cannot be answered as in the Proeme of the new Bible See Calu. vbi supra those Translations say to wit that this diuersity is not in matters appertaining vnto Faith Iosias Symlerus in vita Bullinger but in other pointes of lesse consequence First that is not true as by the inuectiues some of the Translations make against the rest doth appeare Againe in most pointes of Controuersies betwixt them and Catholicks they translate places concerning those points differently from the olde Latine receiued aboue 1000. yeares agoe in Gods Church onely in fauour of their owne herisies and opinions being matters of Faith As for example they translate for Priests Elders for Idols Images c. I say yet further that in so much as all matters there is the true Word of God and I partly finde that some part thereof is mistranslated and that is proued by the diuersities of those Translations dissonant each to other Therefore cannot all bee true in regard hereof I say I must require a sure certaine and infallible Rule by the which it may remaine vndoubted that those errors or mistakings were in matters of Faith as well as lesse matters sithence I could neuer heare of any Warranty out of Heauen assuring these translations
the vnity of Faith and knowledge of the Sonne of God c. In these places it is euidently promised the assistance of the Holy Ghost the continuance of the Church the infallibility of her Faith Ephes 4. the assured Doctrine of her Pastors and Teachers to bring her Children in vnitatem Fidei into the vnity of Faith Wee haue likewise in Scriptures expresse commaundement giuen to these Pastors that they Act. 20. carefully attend vnto their Flocke and that they are to render an accompt of their soules 2. Tim. 4. Ezech. 33. which will be required at their hands if through their default they perish Wee on the contrary part haue the like commaund who are the Laity Heb. 13. S. Math. 18. St. August lib. 1. aduer Ioui Idem Epist ad Heliodox St. Cipri de vnit Eccle. Num. 3. to obey the Pastors to take direction Doctrine and instruction from them as appeareth in many places of Holy writ and that vnder paine of eternall Damnation Wherefore that Christian who followeth the direction of this Church and obeyeth her precepts fulfilleth Gods Commaundements and so consequently cannot erre nor the Church erre in that direction For if the Church could erre in that Direction and Doctrine then were wee bound by Gods Commaundement to imbrace error and from hence one or two absurdities must needes arise to wit either that by error and falshood we might be saued or else for obseruing Gods Commaundements we might be damned both which are most haereticall and apparant blasphemy 19 When I had found that this Church had the infallible promise of Almighty God for the integrity and certainty of her Doctrine for her continuance vnto the end that to her Pastors and Teachers was committed the care of Christ his Flocke that the said Flocke was straightly commaunded to obey them as their Spirituall guides that very affection wherewith they desired to be of this Flocke joyned mee to this Church and subjected me to this guidance that feare I had of mistaking the Truth so needfull for the health of my soule made me cleaue to the assurance of this Direction where the Spirit of God is to be my direction and guide and his lawfull Officers my instructors Now remaineth onely for me to learne out where this eminent Citty of God St. Math. 5. Super montem posita Placed or seated vpon an Hill and casting foorth splendour St. Luk. 1. Ad dirigendos pedes in viam pacis To direct our feete into the way of Peace was to be found and surely this Candle which is not S. Math. 5. Sub modio posita sed super candelabrum Put or hidden vnder a Eushell but set vpon a Candlesticke Vt iuceat eis qui in domo sient To giue light to those that are in the House was easie to be discerned and so it must bee if the promises of God were true or his prouidence sufficient for the sauing of such soules learned and vnlearned for whom hee shed his most precious Blood and dyed 20 The Church of Rome so celebrated knowne to the whole Christian world carrieth onely the testimonies of this Truth It hath knowne continuance with succession of Pastors from the beginning of Christianity vnto this day It hath preserued the holy Scriptures from corruption and deliuered them to posterity from hand to hand from age to age to these dayes wherein we liue St. Vincent Lyrinens aduersus propha haereses It hath consent vnity of Doctrine throughout the whole world the same preserued throughout all Ages notwithstanding the opposition of Herisie and infidelity wherewith it hath continually bin exercised It hath preuailed against all Sects and Heresies whatsoeuer and beate them downe as they sprung vp different each from other like vnto the prodigious heads of Hydra at all times It hath testimony of Miracles Beda lib. de Eccles hist whereby the better to confirme her Doctrine recorded by most venerable Fathers and approued Histories and annuals of all Ages It hath Sanctity and Innocency of life and Doctrine now sealed and crowned in the blood of the most glorious Saincts and Martyrs of Heauen and such as our aduersaries cannot deny to be such It hath the consent of all generall and prouinciall Counsels that haue euer bin lawfully gathered and approoued in all partes of the world Lastly it hath Vniuersality true Sacraments Sacrifice and all what euer markes the holy Fathers doe point our the true Church of Christ by euery of these seuerall signes most easie to be proued and in truth are manifest to him who will but peruse the Ecclesiasticall Histories of Times and Ages Euseb Zohomen Dorethe de hist enl which my selfe by examining finding to be most true cannot doubt of 21 Finally if this be not it on earth there is no true Church St. Chris in Hom. quadaÌ„ ad populam Antioch Christ hath deceiued vs the Apostles deluded vs the Fathers wronged vs and the promises of God haue failed For it is most manifest that no Congregation no Society no Sect no Doctrine hath continued from Christ downeward vnder the succession of Pastors with one and the same Sacraments vnder one forme of Gouernment but onely this And albeit some Sect hath for the time seemed powerfull as the Arrians Pelagians Donatists and many others yet were they no sooner sprouted vp but they were seuered into innumerable diuersities among themselues and at warres yea deadly fewd one against the other and it is not vnknowne vnto your good selfe but that Regnum in se diuisum must perish S. Math. 12 if we may beleeue our most Blessed and most mercifull Redeemer and so did they euery one in their turnes insomuch that the memory of them had not remained if that Catholicke Fathers in Confutations written against them had not recorded their Errors and preserued the infamous memory of the Authors 22 And what we doe finde true of all former Sectaries Luther in Epist ad Iohan Heruag is notorious in Martin Luther and his complyces for their differences implacable hatred each against other Tispogra Argent Zuingl vbi sâ—pra See a Treatise writteÌ„ by Doctor Stapleton called a discourse vpoÌ„ the Doctrine of Protest printed at Louan 12. of Nouember 1564. is at large discussed in their owne Writings to bee found in almost euery Booke-sellers shop Insomuch as since Luther among his progeny within one hundred yeares there are recorded more seuerall Sects I may truely say Heresies and more nouell opinions hatched and brought into the world by their abortiue meanes then in 1400. and odde yeares before And common experience sheweth that euery man being his owne caruer and Teacher shapeth vnto himselfe a Faith out of his owne Braines 23 And thus good Sir I not daring to doe for the reasons aboue mentioned and for the danger it importeth had none other hope to saue my soule but by committing my selfe to that guidance where so many assured
promises of Gods assistance doe both inuite and warrant me and so many infallible testimonies of his performance encourage mee to the same 24 Thus much Sir I haue deliuered and these reasons I haue alleadged for the better approbation of my motiues and thus much I haue set downe to the end you might vnderstand that I haue not done any thing which doth sauour either of temerity or passion but meerely out of true zeale and an earnest desire I haue to let you see how sollicitous I am to saue my soule which how sinfull so euer it is it hath pleased Christ our louing Sauiour to redeeme by the purchase hee made disbursing his owne most precious Blood Nor doe I in this stand vpon mine owne opinion but vpon the Iudgement and Doctrine of the whole Church of Christ neither haue I done this to any other purpose but meerely and purely to giue your importunity content 25 These thinges I haue I say deliuered and vnto them will I God willing adhaere vntill such time as better reason shall be giuen me In the interim I craue nothing but your Blessing and fauour if you be pleased still to cast mee off Gods will bee done Prouidentia Diuina haereditas mea I must take the Diuine prouidence to bee mine Inheritance and then I shall haue iust cause to say with that Blessed man Saint Francis who when his Father had cast him off for his strictnesse and austerity of life hee departed from his Fathers presence reioycing and singing Pater noster qui es in Coelis so may I say Pater noster qui es in Coelis for vpon earth I haue not the comfort of a Father Wherefore that comfortable saying of the Kingly Prophet can neuer depart from my remembrance viz. Quoviam pater meus mater mea dere deliquerunt me Dominus antem assumpsit me Because my Father and my Mother haue forsaken me but our Lord hath taken mee and the comfort hereof shall be alwayes ready to accompany me 26 Before I was a Catholicke my exorbitant and irregular life much afflicted you and now since I haue amended that fault through the grace of God and the helpe of the seauen Golden Candlestickes Ap. 1. spoken of in the Apocalips which are the seauen Spirits of God which the holy Church doth holde to bee the seauen Sacraments all which doe promise grace Ex opere operato which I haue sucked from the charitable breasts of our most holy Mother this Catholicke Church You haue Sir little reason to let that Religion which reclaimed me from Vice and hath beene the motiue to my amendment adde matter to your greater affliction Doe you desire that I should haue Saluation then deny mee not that Faith which hath more then a morrall assurance of Heauens happinesse 27 Out of the Catholicke Church Tract in col cum Eremito saith Saint Augustine a man may haue all thinges excepting Saluation hee may haue Orders hee may haue Sacraments hee may sing Alleluia hee may answere Amen hee may haue the Euangelists he may haue and Preach in the Name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost but hee can by no meanes obtaine Saluation Thus wrote and taught Saint Augustine And seeing I haue some of his workes by me I will alledge you one or two places more to this purpose wee haue in hand And that I may omit saith hee lib. cont Epist Fund cap. 4. this Wisedome which I deny to bee in the Catholicke Church there are diuers other thinges which doe most Iustly retaine and holde mee within heâ— bounds and vnity there doth holde me the consent of People and Nations the Authority which bad her beginning by Miracles nourished by Hope augmented by Charity confirmed by Antiquity There doth holde me the succession of Bishops that is of Popes vntill this present Day from the very Seate of Saint Peter to whome our Lord committed the feeding of his Sheepe after his Resurrection to the Episcopall Dignity of this present bishop And lastly this very name Catholique holdeth and detaineth mee in the vnity of thee Church which Name this Church hath alwayes not without cause among so many different Sects and Heresies in such sort obtained that although all Heretiques doe desire to bee called Catholickes yet if a Stranger I meane a Iew Turke Infidell or one who is not a Christian should demaund where is the Assembly of the Catholicke Church there is no Heretique who careth to assigne his Temple or his house To which may very aptly bee added that worthy saying of Saint Caprian O beatam Ecclesiam nostram quam sic honor diuinae dignitatis illuminat quam temporibus nostris gloriosus Martyrum sanguis illustrat erat ante in operibus fratrum candida nunc facta est in Martyrum cruore purpurea floribus eius nec Lilia nec Rosae desunt That is O happy is our Church whome the honour of Gods Grace doth so lighten whome in our dayes the Glorious blood of Martyrs doth glorifie shee was in the workes of our Brethren white before but now shee is become in the blood of Martyrs of Purple colour neither are Lillies nor Roses wanting to her Flowers 28 Thus wrote Saint Ciprian rreating of the Church and of the persecution thereof in Africa Innumerable other places of holy Fathers could I alleadge for this purpose but I holde it not needfull I will heere end for feare I labouring to giue content in Writing vnto you might discontent you more by my perplexity and endeauouring to auoyde one mischiefe might happely fall into another according to the olde Prouerbe Incidit in Scytham cupiens vitare Charibilem 29 I therefore humbly craue your pardon to end and withall intreating you no further to taxe me then I shall be ready at all times Dum spiritus hos alit artus to continue From my Lodging indurance this 15. day of August being the 46. th Weeke of my Imprisonment 1614. Your most dutifull Sonne N. N.