not a propertie belonging vnto the Church of God I We BELEEVE the holy Catholike Church But faith is the evideÌ„ce of things which are NOT SEENE Heb. 11 II In the visible Church there are many Hypocrites but God only knoweth who are such De occultis non iudicat Ecclesia And Christ ONLY knoweth who are his Ioh. 10.2 Tim. 2. III By examples in the holy Scriptures the Church is described to be invisible 2. Chron. 15.3.4 Now for a long season Israel hath bin without the true God and without Priest to teach and without law But whosoever returned in his affliction to the Lord God of Israel and sought him he was found of them At this time Christ was not without his spouse but albeit the Ministry was corrupted hee had his invisible Church 1. King 19.18 I leaue seaven thousand in Israel that haue not bowed the knees to Baal This company was not seene with corporall eies And in the time of Christs coÌ„ming GOD had his invisible Church Marie Ioseph Zacharias Elizabeth the wise men that came from the East Simecon Anna c albeit publike Ministery was corrupted IV Paule saith Rom. 2.28.29 He is not a Iew which is one outward neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh But he is a Iew which is one within and the circumcision it of the heart in the spirite not in the letter whose praise is not of men but OF GOD. 2 Those places of Scriptures which the Suppliant quote proue only the durance holynes integrity good workes of the Church not the visibility thereof vnto all persons at all times 4 As for the suppliants Dilemma The vnknowne companie did either professe their faith and refuse to communicate with the false Church or they did not If they did professe their faith and refuse to communicate with the other theÌ„ was it not invisible If they did not professe their faith nor refuse to communicate with the false Church they could not be the true Church c. I answere 4 I. If they did not professe their faith c they could not be the true Church Here the Suppliants meane publike profession and open refusall we deny this Position indeed they can never proue it By their reason this is a good argumeÌ„t Those seaven thousands which bowed not their knees vnto Ball either professed their faith or did not If they did professe it how could not Elias see them If they did not professe it then they were not the true Church and yet who seeth not the vanity of it 5 II. They adde That vnknowne company coÌ„municated with the false Church I marvel how the Suppliants know this Go to let vs vrge them with a Dilemma seeing they affect such kind of arguing so much I that company was vnknowne hovv know they what they did If they were not vnknowne but professed openly then what haue they to obiect 6 The Christian Reader may read in the 8. and 9. Chap. of the Prophecie of Ezechiel concerning those faithfull people that mourned and cryed for the abominations that were committed in Hierusalem how the Lord coÌ„maunded to set a marke on their forheads least they should perish learne thence that the Lorde wanteth no meanes to vindicate and saue his Church from destruction even in time of greatest calamity Reason of Religion 32 32. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion in whose largenes spreading amplitude over the whole world the predictions and promise of our Saviour are a These predictions are not verified in Popery but in true Christianitie verified not can take their truth and verification in any other sect or doctrine that ever was or is at this day on earth This Gospell of the kingdome saith our Saviour shall bee preached in the whole worlde for a testimony to all Nations Mat. 24.14 And by the pen of another Evangelist That penance shoulde be preached in his Name and remission of sinnes vnto all Nations Luk 24 47. And our Lord also compared this his Gospell to a Mustard seede one of the least of all seeds in the beginning but wheÌ„ it is growne it maketh great boughes so that the birds of the aire that is as Expositors interprete the greatest Powers and the most wise of the world come and dwell vnder the shadow thereof Mat. 13.31 Mark 4 32. making their residence happynesse and rest therein A resemblance predictions which cannot agree or fall in with any b An evident vntruth other religion saue only with the Catholike Romane Religion and with this very fully as the particulars precedent and subsequent doe cleerely demonstrate Resolution of the 32. Reason Popish Religion is that which is spread over all the world Ergo Popish Religion is true and to be tolerated ANSWERE 1 THis reason is the very same with the 29. and is there answered 2 Those predictions which the Suppliants speake of doe belong only vnto our Church For wee professe that very same doctrin which the Apostles preached vnto the whole world Many Kings great Powers and infinite Wise meÌ„ are professours of our Religion Yea our religion at this instant is much more diffused abroad then Popery is For we see that most kingdomes and countries in Christendome haue shaken of the yoke of Popery yea there is no Province nor Citty in Europe but there are therein very many who are addicted vnto the Gospell of Christ disclaime Popery and professe the same religion that we doe Reason of Religion 33 33. REASON OF RELIGION A ReligioÌ„ that hath alwaies had as the Apostle assureth Gods church should ever haue yeelding also fowre weighty causes of the same a perpetuall visible continuance of knowne a Not Popes Cardinals Pastors and Doctors to the consummation of the Saints the first cause vnto the worke of the ministery the second cause vnto the edifying of the body of Christ the thirde cause that now we be not children wavering and caried about with every winde of doctrine the fourth cause and this vntill wee meete all into the vnity of faith that is to the worlds end Which successiue eveâ—â—ontinuing duration of Pastors and Doctors the same being also promised before to the true Christian Church by severall a Psal 88.31 sequ Esa 59.20 21. Ierem 31.31 sequ Ezech 37.25 Prophets and so greatly materiall in it selfe as without it there can be (b) False See the answere no Church as both b Lib. 4 epist 9. S. Cyprian and c Lib. contr Luciferian S. Hierom doe absolutely affirme hath not nor can bee ever proved to haue beene fulfilled in any other Church saue only in the Catholike Romane Church and in it most apparantly demonstrable by the Ecclesiasticall histories of all ages and by the shorte space or rather momentary blast of time that al other Religions compared with ours haue indured Resolution of the 33. Reason Popish Religion hath alwaies had a perpetuall visible continuance of knowne Pastours and Doctors
his Synagogue wee confesse but not from Christ and his true Church 3 The Pope is that Robber that Thiefe that Destroyer of the Sheepe who first departed and fel away froÌ„ Christ our Lord. But vve being the Lords Sheepe departed fell away from the Pope We separated our selues not froÌ„ the Church but from the robber and worrier of the sheep in the Church 4 Our separation cannot indeede properly bee tearmed a going out a departing a falling away or Aâ—ostasie but a Renunciation of Apostasie VVherein wee haue imitated the Patriarks the Prophets Christ himselfe and his Apostles In the time of Enosch the Godly separated themselues from the rabble of the wicked had their private meetings wherein they applyed the holy exercises of devotion and Religion calling vpon the name of the Lord. Gen. 4.26 Paule separated the Disciples from the rest of the Iewes vvho vvilfully and obstinately resisted the Gospel of Christ 5 We in like manner haue separated our selues not as Heretikes are wont to doe from the Church of Christ but which all good Christians ought to doe from the coÌ„tagion of wicked men and of Hypocrites 6 The Cardinals the false Bishops and all the rest of the Popish faction haue made a plaine and manifest Apostasie from the faith of Christ Iesus because they fell from the wholesome doctrine comprehended in the writings of the Prophets Apostles from the pure worship of GOD from the right administration and vse of the Sacramentes and also from holy discipline in manners And therefore the Papists be they that went out that segregated themselues that made dissentions and scandals contrary to the doctrine they had learned not the Protestants 7 Who appeale vnto this Faith from which they fell away vnto the holy Scriptures albeit they stil inculcate vnto vs the faith of the Popish Synagogue the Decrees and Decretals and the auctority of the Romish Pope for they see they cannot stand if iudgment be made of their doctrine according vnto the rule and square of the holy Scriptures no more then the auncient Heretikes could Tertul. de Resurrect Carnis cap. 3. II To the Consequence The Consequence hath no coherence with the Antecedent For our doctrine is not therefore new because we went out departed and separated our selues from the society and communion of the Popish Church seeing we we are expresly commanded vpon paine of eternal damnation to goe forth of Babylon Apoc. 18.4 Reason of Religion 4 4. REASON OF RELIGION A religion whose first Instituters except Christ his Apostles or after-deuisers a A manifest vntruth neither doth the Argument follow if we could not caÌ„not be named by any of our Adversaries nor can they a shew that peece or fuÌ„damental point of our faith either of laâ—e or since the Apostles time defined which This is witnessed in the CouÌ„cel of (*) Do these CouÌ„cels witnes that we are not able to shewe that there was nothing lately defined but what was beleeved before A senselesse assertion and a Note which noteth nothing Ephesus in epist Synodi coÌ„tra NestoriuÌ„ in the CouÌ„cel of Calcedon act 4.5 6. Item generali 6. Act. 4. 10. genera 7. Act. 2. And by Athanas of the Nicen. Councel in epist ad Afros in epist de Synodis Arimini et Seleuciae And by Socrates of the Councel of Alexandria in historia ecclesiast lib. 1. cap. 5. and others was not formerly beleeved the contrary thereof never taught by the Roman Church Wherfore in our vnderstanding it is evideÌ„t that the religion b Everie false worship is the invention of the Devill and so is Popery we professe is not as it is c A slander with a matter of truth slandered to be a deuise or inveÌ„tioÌ„ of maÌ„ nor ever was contrary to it selfe in doctrine but whatsoever hath beene in latter ages explicitiuely defined the same was alwaies not only holdeÌ„ true from the beginning in d We care not what was beleeved in their church but certainly their doctrine was never beleeved in the true church of Christ our Church but also implicitiuely beleeved for the infallible auctority thereof Resolution of the 4. Reason Popish Religion is that whose first Institutors except Christ and his Apostles or after-devisers cannot be named by any nor can they all shewe that piece or fundamentall point of faith either of late or since the Apostles time defined which was not formerly beleeved and the contrary thereof never taught by the Romane Church Ergo. Popish religion is true and to be tolerated ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 THE Institutor and deviser of Popishe Religion was not CHRIST and his Apostles but the DIVELL of hell by the ministrie of Antichrist his Disciples as shall plainely appeare in examining of the particulars in the reasons following 2 Many points of Popish doctrine were challenged even in the Primitiue Church for even at that time the mystery of iniquitie began to worke to bee false and erroneous Paul challenged the false-teachers which taught differences in meate and drinke observation of daies worshipping of Angels voluntary Religion and will-worshippe and bad the Collosians be warre of such Colloss 2. He reprehended also the false Apostles which taught Iustification by workes in his Epistles to the Romanes and Galathians all which errours and false doctrine the Popish Church embraceth defendeth at this day 3 Also the beginning increase perfection of the Popish Primacie is manifestly knowne When Constantine the Great ordained the cittie Byzantium to be the seate of his Empire which afterwards he called Constantinople of his owne name his departing from Rome was the cause of the first division of the Empire which shortly after ingendred a very schisme The Bishop of Rome began to shew himselfe and to worke the mistory of Antichrist For in the time of Odoacers raigne Anno Dom. 480. Acatius B. of Constantinople wrote to Simplicius B. of Rome desiring him also to condemne Peter B. of Alexandria of heresie for following Eutiches Heereby a sort of ambitious fellowes taking occasion began to reason of the auctority dignity of the Church B. of Rome contending that the church of Rome was the head of all Churches and the Bishop of Rome the Catholike and vniversall head of all Bishopes Albeit those BB. that succeeded Acatius at Constantinople opposed themselues against the ambition of the B. of Rome affirming that the supremacie belonged vnto their Church in asmuch as the Roman Emperours made Constantinople the chiefe seate of their Empire therfore they contended that the Bishop of Constantinople should be called vniuersall or Catholique Bishop or the B. of Bishops This ambicious coÌ„tention coÌ„tinued 112. yeeres vntill Antichrist began to wax stronger For Iohn B. of CoÌ„staÌ„tinople caused Mauricius the Emperour to call togither the Greeke BB. vnto CoÌ„stantinople to hold a Councel wherin it was decreed that the Bishop of CoÌ„stantinople should bee called the Occumenicall and Catholique Bishop
seizeth vpon heaven and placeth therein such as haue committed fornication with her And therefore it is the religion of Antichrist Thy friends ô God are very much honoured of me Likewise that saying of Ecclesiasticus fulfilled * Nations shall declare his wisdome the church speake forth his praise and also the rites of friendship true loue observed which is to loue our friends frind for our friends sake and incomparably more the Saints of God for their and our loue towards God a Psalm 138.17 * Cap. 39.14 Resolution of the 16. Reason Popish religion only hath canonized her Professours for Saints after death and celebrateth their annuall memories Ergo. What Popish religion is Antichristianisme ANSWERE 1 I grant the whole 2 Blasphemous wretches Is it not inough more then inough that miserable Papistes with intolerable boldnes arrogate vnto themselves the name of Catholiks al the prerogatiues priviledges of Christs Church in earth but with sacrilegious impiety they will needs lay violent hands and seize vpon heaveÌ„ the throne of GOD the kingdome of the SAINTS blasphemously challenge the same for their Professours who it is most certaine are cast downe head-long into the pitte of hell 3 Iudge not Christian Reader that I pronouÌ„ce this sentence vnadvisedly rashly or vncharitably * Note well Never any Man DYING a PAPISTE enioyed heaven or escaped hel I have the word of GOD for my warrant herein which must iudge both thee and me Read Apocalyps 14. vers 9.10 11. the Text is pregnaÌ„t plaine This point I haue handled at large in my booke De Ecclesia Antichristi 4 Holy Sainte LVTHER saith Papa muleâ—s in sanctorum Catalogum refert qui taima detrusi sunt tartara loanneÌ„ HussuÌ„ damnatum Satanae tradidit quem coeli beatum esse incolam nemo dubit averit nisi qui Christum veracem esse negaverit Absit ô Papa me tibi SanctuÌ„ indicari te Satanae Sanctum esse faecilè patior Luth. in Colloq de Ioanne Huss Reason of Religion 17 17. REASON OF RELIGION A religion whose refuse and revolted Priestes are deemed lawful and a Manifest vntruth â—ufficieÌ„tâ—y ordered to preach the word of God to minister Sacraments to exercise all spirituall iurisdiction in the Protestant Puâ—â—ane Congregation A proofe which seemeth vnanswerable that b They argue ex non concessis our Church is the true Church for were her doctrine false she teaching in many points as shee doth it must needes follow that she is c This we grant the synagogue if not the arch-synagogue of SathaÌ„ consequeÌ„tly he hath not can possibly haue God the divell being so contrary d Popish Priests are no lawfull Ministers in the true church auctority to initiate make lawfull compleate Ministers for exercising spirituall faculties in the true Church Neither is the Protestant Minister or Bishop comming to our Catholike fraternity as many come of the first sorte reputed other then for meere e Certainely hee that denieth falleth away fro the faith of Iesus Christ is vâ—worthie to bee a Minister of his Gospell lay-meÌ„ without orders Resolution of the 17. Reason Popish religion is that whose refuse and revolted Priestes are deemed lawfull sufficiently ordeined to preach the vvord of GOD to minister the Sacraments and to exercise all spirituall iurisdiction the Protestant Congregation Ergo. Popish religion is vndoubtedly true religion and consequently to be tolerated ANSWERE I To the Antecedent 1 WE hould Popish Priests accursed because their Priest-hood is not of GOD. But if in obedience to the divine coÌ„mandement Apoc. 18.4 they come out of Babylon forsake Antichrist renouÌ„ce their errours ioyne theÌ„selves vnto the true Church of Christ if theÌ„ they have sufficient giftes are willing to exercise that function or if otherwise the Church hath neede of their helpe that way they may ought to be received as Ministers of Iesus Christ 2 Neither is it any greasing or shaving which they received in the Popish synagogue that makes them to be Ministers in deede the Popish ordination being nothing else but meere prophanation but they having fit gifts and other necessarie circumstances concurring their being acknowledged to be true Pastours and Ministers by the whole Church the Magistrate and People 3 There is no true Ecclesiastical vocation in the Papacy because they have remaining in their Church no appearance of such things as by the word of GOD are required for the constitution of a lawfull vocation They have no Election no examination of doctrine no approbation of manners nor consent of the Church But let vs examine their owne Canons 4 If they which come vnto their Bishoprikes either by money or by the favour of Princes be not Bishops indeed and have no right of instituting other Bishops or ordaining Priestes as the ancient Canons expresly testifie Can. Apost 29. 30. CoÌ„cil Chalcedon Can. 2. If a Bishop cannot be elected but by a Synode and if the election of him that is otherwise elected be meerely voide no election at all as was decreed in the Councell of Antioch If they who sell or buy their Orders bee no Priestes as the Councel of Basil concluded theÌ„ what one Bishop or Priest is there in the Popish Church that hath a lawfull calling 5 Briefly in few wordes Popish PRIESTES Note well are no more the Ministers of the Gospell of Iesus Christ then were the Priestes of Bacchus or any other idolatrous Sacrificer among the heathen Gentiles II To the Consequence 1 The Consequence hath no coherence with the Antecedent for it doth not follow that because Popish Priestes acknowledging their heresie and confessing the Gospell of Iesus Christ being every way fit for the Ministrie by the approbatioÌ„ of whoÌ„ it appertaineth vnto are received as Ministers amongst vs therfore Popery is true religioÌ„ seeing they presume to do nothing by that auctoritie whereby they were ordained in Popery but for all their orders take themselues for meere lay-men 2 The Argument is thus rather concluded Popishe Priestes being in themselues execrable if they renounce Antichrist and turne vnto the Lord by the approbation of the church are lawfull Ministers of the Gospell Ergo Popish religion which ordained such Priests is execrable and the religion of Protestants whereof after their conversion they are lawful Ministers is the true religion and faith of Iesus Christ Reason of Religion 18 18. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion to whose antiquity and veritie of most part of her doctrine controversed the fashion of every Church Chappell and Chancell the records of every Hospitall Colledge and Popish Religion is no ancienter then the Abbres Cloisters of Friers and Nunnes Anbey decared yea every ancient sepulched church-window graue-stone do bring giue apparant evidence as thing al wearing her badges and contestoying her elder childrens faith devotion and piety Resolution of the 18. Reason Popish Religion is that to whose antiquity and
Ergo Popery is true Religion and to be tolerated ANSWERE 1 THis Reason is parallel vnto the 31. Reason But I answere farther 2 I. The lustre and glory of the Church is two fold Interiour and Exteriour the inward glory is that which consisteth in purity of doctrine the outward glory consisteth in the amplitude and peaceable state of the Church The inward glory never faileth in the Church but the outward oftentimes doth Vnto this belongeth the succession of ordinary Pastours and Doctors for indeede there may bee a true Church without ordinary Pastors Where two or three consent in verity of doctrine there is Christ in the midst of them there is the Church Againe the Church fled into the wildernes where for a time shee was fed by God c. 3 The Popish Wolues are not true Pastours and Doctors of the Church wherof the Apostle Paule speaketh Eph. 4.11 For in the Papacie we see the Pope extolling himself aboue all yea sometimes two three or fowre Popes at once cursing banning one the other into the pit of hell and fighting many a bloody cūbate for Peters chaire as they say We see many Cardinals Patriarkes Archbishops Bishops Abbots c. which represent Herods or Pharaos court yea which bear the shew of the Babylonian or Persian Monarchy following them in all ambition arrogancy vanity luxurie rather then the Apostolicall state of the Ecclesiasticall Ministry whereof the Apostle Paule speaketh 4 The Lord gaue vnto his Church Pastours and Doctours the Suppliants vrge out of Paule Eph. 4. Bee it so But here is no mention of Pope Cardinals Monkes Friers Iesuits Priests c. VVherefore we may retort this Argument vpon the Papists themselues thus They only haue a true and a lawfull calling and ordination in the Church who are mentioned by the Apostle Paul Eph. 4.11 But the Pope Cardinals Abbots Moonks Friers Iesuits Priests c. are not mentioned by the Apostle Ergo These haue no lawfull calling 5 Againe That is the true Church in which there is a lawfull vocation ordination of Pastours and Ministers In the Popish Church there is no lawfull ordination of such as we haue proved before Ergo The Popish Church is not the true Church 34. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion whose doctrine is to be a Begging of the question traced even vp to the Apostles chaire by true and lawfull succession of Bishops every of them holding b Vntruth vnitie with his predecessour and keeping still as the Apostle directeth the depositum that descended from hand to hand vnto them Which vninterrupted line of succession never leaping over the head of any one age or c False as appeareth every wherin ther owne Histories yeare drawing his originall from the Apostles can not but d This woude be prooved not saide neces arily proue that our Church is only the true Apostolical Church and that we e Impudent Begging continue and contende as we are cōmanded Coloss 1.23 Phil. 3.16 Jude v. 3. in and for the faith which was first preached And it is also evident by the irrefragable authority of S. Paule that the Romanes had once the true faith affirming their e faith to be renowmed in the whole world and common to him and them Likewise it is evident by the vniforme report of all Ecclesiasticall histories and by the writings of al the Fathers (a) Theodoretus * Great Crie Litle Wooll in cap. 16. epist ad Rom Prosp carmine de ingr in principio S. Leo de Nat. Pet. Aug. contr epist Fund cae 4. Oiosius l 7. cae 6. Chrysost in Ps 88. Epiph. haer 27. Prud in hym 2. S. Laurentij hym 12 Optatus l. 2. contr Donatist Ambr. lib. 5. epist de basilicis tradendis Hiero. in Catalogo Lactantius lib. 4 cap 21. de vera Sapien-Eusebius hist Eccles lib. 2 cap. 13.15 Athanas de fuga sua Cipria epist 55. nu 6. Tert. de praesic nu 4. lib. 4. Contr. Marcio nu 4. Origen in Gen. apud Euseb l 3. c 1. Jrenaeus l. 3 c. 3. Hegesippus li 3. c. 2. de Excid Hierosolym Caius Papias Dionis Episc Corinth citati per Euseb li. 2. ca. 14. 24 Jgnat epist ad Rom. Concil Calced act 3. and others Greeke and Latin yea and by the very sense sight of sundry monumēts yet extant that Saint Peter f This is very vncertaine can never be soundly demonstrated was at Rome suffred death there and was the first Bishop of that See Now if our Counterpleaders can sufficiently shew as we are sure the whole world cannot either that the Romanes haue since that time g left the faith which S. Paule commended in them or that any of the succeeding Bishops to S. Peter in that See haue changed the first faith by paring away any part therof or by adding any new doctrine contrary to the rule of the former or what vvas not taught before by the Fathers after explicitiuely added as a more clear particular declaration of the same if this wee say can be sufficiently shewed by h A senselesse issue required naming the Pope or other man who in such sort changed the primitiue faith the point or points of faith that were so chāged togither with the time place when where the change was first made we yeelde our selues to be i Whether you will yeelde your selues to be so or no it is certaine out of the Scriptures that you are such prophane Novellers yea Heretiks most worthy of the fagot Resolution of the 34. Reason Popish religion is that whose doctrine is to be traced even vp to the Apostles chaire by true and lawfull succession of Bishops every one of them bolding vnity with his predecessour keeping still the depositum that descended frō hand to hand vnto them Ergo Popish religion is true religion and consequently to be tolerated ANSWERE 1 THIS reason is in effect the same with the last that goeth before But I deny Antecedent 2 Popish religion cannot bee traced vp to the Apostels chaire but downe rather to Lucifers chaire for it is nothing but a Summarie and Epitome of Heresies as I have proved before pag. 44. c. and manifestly teacheth those doctrines of devils condemned by the Apostle 1. Tim. 4.1 3 Their Bishops Popes haue no right successiō either to any Apostle or Apostolike mā in place person or office 4 If the Papists had this personal succession yet were they never the nearer I The wicked Priestes oftentimes pleaded succession against the true Prophets and against Christ himselfe Ier. 7.4 Ierem. 8.8 Ioh. 8.44 II Vriah the Priest had this succession from Aaron yet to please King Ahaz he set vp an altar according to the patterne that the King had sent him of one that hee had seene at Damascus contrary vnto the commādement of the Lord. 2. King 16.10.11 III The Patriarke of Constantinople deduceth his local and
Poland are false for their estate is nothing so peaceable and flourishing as this Common-wealth is I Let vs consider the Roman Empire Shee having pitty to see that Church creeping as it did in the beginning vpon the ground suffered the same to embrace it and to growe vp by it as the Yvie doth by the oake whereof the Empire being a mightie tree indeed felte not at the first any annoyance but nowe findeth that it hath sucked it in such sorte as it hath drawne out all the iuice vigour of it being brought by it now to a withered stocke scarce able to beare the barren braunches that are vpon it For by meanes of Excommunicating and cursing the Emperours by giving the Empire to whom it pleased them by forcing warre betweene the House of Fraunce the Empire and other the noble Houses of Europe the Pope hath brought to passe that now there is no Emperour at-all at Rome but himselfe II France the world knoweth was almost torne in pieces by civill warres now by the banishment of the fire-brands thereof the Iesuites hath obtained peace III As for Poland the Popish Priests themselues confesse that the Iesuites excited and stâ—rred vp such an I hade of tumules civil warres amongst those Christians as that they caused of late more battels to bee fought then had bin in five hundred yeeres before Le Frank Discourse pag. 89. 4 So then it is not toleration that causeth peace in these kingdomes but other causes as is manifest 5 If toleration were the cause as the Petitioner pretends yet is that no sufficient warrant for his Highnesse to allow of wicked and daÌ„gerous toleration in England For we must not live by examples but by lawes and rule of reason 6 Popish Princes may lawfully without disparagemeÌ„t of their estates permitte Protestants to exercise their religion within their kingdomes the doctrine which they professe being the only word of GOD which caÌ„ be preiudiciall to no estate or true policy But Protestant Princes may not permitte Papistes to exercise their idolatrie within their domimoÌ„s the doctrine which these professe being both contrary vnto the lawfull auctority of Kings and vnto the expresse word of GOD More plainely 7 The doctrine of the Gospel holdeth nothing that may impugne Kings lawfull right and auctority but contrariwise teacheth all due honor and obedience to be given to them and that for conscience sake Wherfore both they may suffer the exercise of it without danger yea to the great establishing of their states and thrones in security and assurance and consequently also such professours may be faithfull and loyall subiects yea even to heathen Princes as the Apostles and Fathers of the Primitive church were But a Papist that houlds a faith doctrine the maximes and rules whereof are opposite to the state and dignity of Princes though they alleadge a thousand times they stand but for their conscience religion yet because their conscience and religion is such as the principles and grounds of it are contrary to all States auctority the Magistrate cannot endure such a conscience and religion without the certaine danger of having the mace and scepter wrong out of his hands 8 Againe the Papists do intolerably wrong his Maiestie in soliciting of his Highnesse to graunt that whereof they can give no similitude of instance in any Protestant Prince Yea which the Pope himselfe cannot endure 9 For if toleration bee so beneficiall to the State as heere the Papists affirme wherfore do not they perswade the Pope all Popish Princes to practise the same within their dominions why do they not cancell the bloodie InquisitioÌ„ surcease their persecuting of the ProtestaÌ„ts If they thinke this intolerable in their regiments wherfore should we iudge it tolerable in our State especially their Popish documeÌ„ts being very fire-brands to set al on fire their Popes very leaches of our treasure that wil never be satisfied and very tyrants that will oppresse not onely the lawfull liberty of the people but also the royal power auctority of our Kinges Princes their Priestes Iesuites very bellowes of all sedition rebellion 10 SECONDLIE Toleration of Papistry is coÌ„trary vnto the word of GOD as I have proved in the Aâ—swere vnto the first Supplication and also besides what I have written in this already shal be more plainely shewed in the sequele and therefore contrary to the doctrine which we professe It is written in the law that the false Prophet the seducing Idolater shold be takeÌ„ from amongst vs slaine that all Israell may heare and feare and not dare to commit the like Deut. 13. We acknowledge that Faith is the gifte of God which commeth by the preaching of the Gospell and yet wee thinke it not vnlawfull for the Magistrate to execute the Lords iust vengeance vpon obstinate Heretiques and seducing Idolaters Repentance and holynes of life is also the gift of God and commeth by the same meanes and yet the Magistrate not only in a good conscience may but in duty to GOD ought to draw out the Lords sword of execution iustice and vengeance against all ill doers to wound and to kill according to the qualities of the offence So likewise ought he in this case And though conscience and religion be not put in by torments yet may one having his obstinacy chastened by auctority bee stirred vp to consider more seriously of the course he holds and by such occasion growing to a deeper examination of the cause through the grace of God attaine to the true faith And if they should not be coÌ„verted yet is not the punishment in vaine For by it many which oftentimes by a dissolute lenitie would bee encouraged with impunitie and follow the same wicked waies are better advised and kept from destruction else were it in vaine said vvhich I haue alleadged before Take away the evill from amongst you that all Israell may heart and feare and not dare to doe the like 11 If any haue taught otherwise then this it can no more yea not so much preiudice our cause as nowe this pleading for toleration beeing a thing which they haue ever abhorred both in words writing doth preiudice the great Patrones of Vnity and Constancy in their profession as they tearme themselues the Papists II To the Consequence 1 The Antecedent beeing absurde and false all the breadth of heaven the Consequence must needs be absurde and false in like manner 2 If the Antecedent were true yet coulde not the Consequence bee admitted For it is not agreeables to the State nor yet supposed conformitie with the doctrine of the ProtestaÌ„ts if it be not otherwise simply true in it selfe that can make a thing lawfull and tolerable ¶ Hitherto of the Reasons of State Now follow the Reasons of Religion Reason of Religion 1 1. REASON OF RELIGION The Religion a Vntruth it is cleane contrarie vnto that Religion that vnder your Highnesse favour we
sue to haue tolerated is the selfesame Religion and no other to which our country was converted from Paganisme and which bo h b False agains all the Christian Kings of our natioÌ„ Edward the 6. a child A. Do. â— 596. by S. Austen the Monke and our Apostle senâ— hither by S. Gregory the great Pope of Rome Beda de gestin Anglorum lib. 1. ca. 23. only excepted also al your Highnesse predecessours in the Crowne of Scoâ—land Englad was converted long before this time ever publikely professed and for the zealous maintenaunce whereof your Maiesties great grandfather Iames the fourth was worthily surnamed Protector Resolution of the 1. Reason Popish Religion is that to which England was converted from Paganisme and which all Christian Kings of England and of Scotland ever publikely professed Ergo Popish Religion is true Religion and consequently to bee tolerated ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 IT was not Popery to which England was converted from Paganisme but true Christian Religion Because Englande vvas converted to the faith of Christ when neither the Pope nor Poperie was yet hatched 2 It was not in the yeere of Christ 596. that our CouÌ„try was first converted vnto the faith but long before even in the Apostles times as appeareth by the testimonies of Gild as De excid Britan. ca. 6. Origen Hom. 40. in Ezech. Tertullian in Iudaeos Athanasius Apolog. 2. contra Arrianos Theodoretus lib. 9. de curand Grac. affectib Sophronius in Catalog Nicephorus lib. 3. Hist cap. 1. 3 It was not converted by Augustine the Monke false Apostle sent hither by the Pope but either by the Apostle Paule as Theodoretus lib. 9. de curand Grac. affect Sophronius Serm. de â—atal Apost Venantius Fortunatus De Peregr Pauli and Arnoldus Mirmannus In Theatr. de convers GeÌ„t do testifie Or by the Apostle Symon Zelotes as Nicephorus lib. 2. Hist cap. 40. and Dorotheus in Synops do affirme Or else by Ioseph of Arimathea a noble man of Iurie that buried the bodie of Christ as Freculphus Lib. 2. Cap. 4. Iohn Capgraue in Catalogâ— Sanctor Augl and Polidore Virgil Hist Auglio Lib. 1. do write 4 That religion which Augustine the false Apostle brought from Rome was contrary in many pointes vnto that ChristiaÌ„ doctrine which was professed before in this land as appeareth by the dissention betweene the Brittâ—â—es and this Augustine recorded by Bede and others 5 But if Frier Augustines ReligioÌ„ vvere not contrary but the very same with that which was heere professed yet was it infinitely different from the Popish doctrine at this day as is manifest by many Atticles of Poperie vvhich were but lately invented as the Popes Supremacie which Pope Gregorie in Frier Augustines time vtterly condemned Transubstantiation manye partes of the Masse c. 6 It is not true that ALL Christian Princes of England and Scotland professed the Popish Religion some of them being dead long before the beginning of Popery others also as King Henrie I King Henrie II King Iohn King Richard II King Edward III King Henrie VIII even in the midst of Popery impugning the Popes almighty power and primacie in this land II To the Consequence 1 As the Antecedent is so is also the Consequence a false Antecedent and a false consequence 2 If the Antecedent were true yet coulde it not inferre such a necessary consequence For Religion is not therefore true because such a Nation or such and such Kings professed the same but because it is conformable vnto the word of God 2. Reason of Religion such as Popish Religion can never be proved to be * â—ite their words and you shall haue your Answere 2. REASON OF RELIGION This appeareth by MermaÌ„mus in sus Theatro theÌ„ Magdeburgenses in t is de propagatione Baronis all other Collectors of Antiquitie A religion which by the testimonies of all Antiquity â— was the a An impudent begging of the question primary religion that ever any heathen Nation converted Christian did professe and the wisodome of heaven coÌ„mandeth b Popish â—â—elâ—gi on is none of those bounds neither â—ur is from the bâ—ginning not to transgresse the ancient bouÌ„ds which our Fathers appointed but contrarily to abide in that which wee heard from the beginning Resolution of the 2. Reason Popish Religion was the primarie Religion that ever any heathen Nation converted Christian and professe Ergo It is true and therefore to be tolerated ANSWERE 1 BOth the Antecedent and the Consequence are an impudent begging of the question For neither was Popery hatched in time of the primitiue Church neither yet can the Gentiles professing of any thing make it therefore absolutely true 2 But to deale liberally with the Papists let them by inevitable demonstrations which may convince the coÌ„science prooue the Antecedent vvhich they shall never bee able to doe and wee will graunt them the Consequence Reason of Religion 3 3. REASON OF RELIGION A religion of whose communion and felowship the founders of other religions or the a We are Christians and desire to be so called reformers of our Churches faith if they more desire to be so called were b Wee never were of the communion of the Popish church but by the great mercy of God haue ever kâ—pt our selues from that wicked one 1. Iob. 5.18 and our Fathers who were once of that communion obeiâ—d the divine commaundement Gâ—t out of her my people c. Apoc. 18 4. once and went out and c This is no good consequence reade the Answere consequently their doctrine newer and lesse auncient then ours and therfore as we beleeue not the good seede Matth 13.24 but the cookle that was sowen afâ—er And that wee never going out of any d They have lost the faith and yet they smite vs as Ziakva the false Prophet did Micheah â—â—ke When went the spirit of the Lord from mee to speake vnto thee 1. King 22.24 knowne Christian society for the whole world cannot tel your Grace out of which church we departed when how and where as did the former the Apostolicall markes of false beleeuers namely To goe out from others 1. oh 2.19 To segregate themselue Iude. v. 19. and To make dissention scandalls contrarie to the doctrine they had learned Rom 16.17 e They spake by contraries cannot belong to vs by any possible application nor by any sleight or devise shâ—fted from them Resolution of the 3. Reason Popish Religion was that of whose communion the Protestantes were once and went out a marke of new Doctrine Ergo Poperie is true Religions and consequently to be tolerated ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 NOT every going out departing or separation is a token of new doctrine or a marke of a false beleever but only that going out departing separation which is made from the true Church of Christ 2 We haue separated our selues from the communioÌ„ of the Pope of Rome and from
sacrament 14 The Monothelites taught that there was but one will in our Saviour Christ So taught Honorius the Pope in like manner 2. Tom. Concil Colon. Anno. 1551. editor pag. 365. in Sexta Synod Constantinop Act. 12. 15 The Arabians held that the Soule died and was dissolved with the body Aug. de Haeres cap. 83. Niceph. Eccl. Hist lib. 5. c. 23. So also beleeved Pope Iohn XXIII the head of the Romish Church who as the Papistes affirme cannot possibly erre Concerning whom I will lay downe the very words of the Councel of Constance Dominus IOANNES Papa XXIII saepe sapius coram diversis Praelatis alijs honestis probis viris pertinaciter diabolo suadente dixit asseveravit dogmatizavit astruxit vitam ateruam NON ESSE neque aliam post hanc quinimâ— dixit pertinaciter credidit animam hominis cum corpore humano MORI EXTINGVI ad instar animalium brutoruÌ„ dixitque mortuum semel esse etiam in novissimo die MINIME resurrecturum Tom. 2. Concilior pag. 1060. Concil Constant Sess 11. whervpon in the same session he is called Diaholus incarnatus pag. 1050. But concerning this point the Reader may reade more in my booke de Antichristo Cap. 24. II To the Consequence 1 IF Popish religion had confuted and out lasted severall huÌ„dreds of heresies yet it followeth not that it is true religion therefore because it is not strange to see one Heretique warre and fight against another and the stronger to overcome and out-last the weaker So Popery hath done and doth continually But the truth of the Gospell being the doctrine of the Stronger man which overcame and bound the strong man armed hath and ever doth batter Popery to peeces and hath gotten from it whole kingdomes and nations already God be praised and shall shortly worke the vtter ruine and desolation thereof Amen Amen 2 The places of Scripture cited by the Suppliants are not meant of the Popishe Church but of the true Church of Christ where with they have no communion who doe vnworthily separate themselves from the same and take part with her enemie Reason of Religion 6 6. REASON OF RELIGION A religion that erected and built a What ALL this word is too generall the world can testifie And ALL this is but a begging of the question 2. Pet. 1.8 all the Churches Hospitalles and ancient Colledges in Christendome indowed them with livings instituted the Vniversities and Seminaries distinguithed the multitude into parishes proportioned the tithes annexed the glebe land founded the Bishoprickes limited the Dioâ—eseâ— decreed Ecclesiasticall lawes and immunities enacted all the olde Lawes of our Realme and did for that they would not be vacant without fruite as the Apostle aduised in the knowlegde of our Lord Iesus a thousand good workes besides of which the religion regnant reapeth b GOD can stirre up wicked men to doe his children good daily beneficte and could not without such our churches provision and ordinances ever haue carried the exterior shew it doth Resolution of the 6. Reason Popish Religion erected and built Churches Hospitals Colleges endowed them with livings instituted Vniver sities and Seminaries c and did a thousand good workes besides Ergo Poperie is true Religion and therefore to be tolerated ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 THere were Churches Hospital Colleges Vniversities and Schooles erected and instituted in the Primitiue Church before Popery was dreamed of 2 Also the tithes were proportioned in the old Testament in the daies of the ancient Patriarkes And Bishopricks were fouÌ„ded dioceses limited parishes distinguished and Ecclesiasticall laws decreed long before the beginning and originall of Popery by the Fathers of the Primitiue Church 3 〈◊〉 that Popish Religion bee conferred with the ReligioÌ„ that those worthy meÌ„ which erected builded Churches Hospitals Colleges Vniversities Schooles since the time of the Primitiue Church died in and both of them bee tryed by the Scriptures and then compared vvith ours it will be found that not halfe of them dyed in the Popish Religion as the Suppliants imagine yea that the ancientest and best of them dyed in ours and therefore both they and their monuments are ours and giue greater credit vnto our Religion then all the rest doe or can do vnto Poperie II To the Consequence 1 Suppose Popish Religion to be the principall auctor and agent in all these and in a thousand good works besides yet doth it not follow therefore that Popery is true Religion Because heretiques may in civill affaires do or decree some things which in themselues are good which notwithstanding doth not any way giue allowance vnto their Heresie 2 The Protestants haue built many Churches Hospitals Colleges Vniversities and Schooles and done ten thousand good workes besides Wherefore by the Suppliants argument the Protestants Religion must needs bee true vvhich yet they vvill not grant 3 Yea vvhat is there in this Reason vvhich Infidels heathen men may not alleadge for theÌ„selues Pagans Iewes Turkes and other profane Nations erected many goodly monuments decreed wholesome and profitable lawes and haue done many workes besides which in themselues are very good Will the Suppliants from hence coÌ„clude that their profession is true Religion 4 GOD can bring forth light our of darknes he can raise vp Heretiques Infidels and Atheists to doe many things for the good and benefite of his Church Children Reason of Religion 7 7. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion a A lowde lie 9.10 11. Centenaries that in three ages togither had not three open adversaries in the Christian world who contradicted or impugned her doctrine or beleeued another forme of faith then that which shee then and now teacheth And the Wisedome of the eternall God alluding to his b If we will beleeve the Suppliants Glosse else not Pro. 14.28 Glossa interlin in hunc locum Church affirmeth that in the multitude of people coÌ„sisteth the glory of a King and in the small number the ignominy of the Prince Resolution of the 7. Reason Popish Religion in three ages togither had not three open Adversaries in the Christian worlde who contradicted her Doctrine or beleeved any other forme of faith then that vvhich shee teacheth Ergo Poperie is true Religion and to be tolerated ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 THere haue bin in every age worthy and faithfull Christians who contradicted the Popish superstition publikely and openly opposed themselues against Antichrist For GOD had alwaies TWO WITNESSES to testifie the trueth against the Adversary Apoc. 11.3 2 These faithfull Servants of GOD haue ever beleeved and held an other forme of faith then that which Popish Religion taught For they kept the commaundements of GOD and had the testimonie of IESVS CHRIST Apoc. 12.17 3 In these Centenaries which the Suppliants speake of to wit in the 9.10 and 11. there lived questionlesse seaven thousande vvhich bovved not their knees vnto Baall 4 About these times flourished Bertrame the
Priest Huldrieus Bishop of Auspurge Ioannes Patricius Erigena Ansegisus the Abbot Berengarius ArchdeacoÌ„ of Angiers Aruulphus Archbishop of Lugdune Ioannes Sarisburueasis Arueldue Bishop of Bixta Petrus Bloix Petrus Waldo and all those famous men which were tearmed Waldenses Frederike the second Petrus de Vinea his Chancellor Bernard all these and infinite numbers more who are not recorded in Histories that held the faith of Iesus impugned the Papacie and opposed themselues against Antichrist and all his disciples 5 Also the Greeke Church coÌ„tinually impugned Poperie and held a faith different from the Popish beliefe II. To the Consequence 1 If there had not been found THREE open adversaries in al the Christian world who in those CeÌ„tenaries impugned Popery yet doth not that inferre the truenes of Popish Religion Because it is written in the Revelation that GOD should stirre vp TWO witnesses to testifie the trueth against Antichrist Apoc. 11.3 and in the mouth of TWO or three witnesses every thing is established Num. 35.30 Dent. 17.6 Dent. 19.15 Matth. 18.16.2 Cor. 13.1.1 Tim. 5.19 2 It is written that Antichrist shal prosper for a time and prevaile against the Saintes yea that hee shall cause ALL both small great rich poore free and bond to receiue his marke Apoc. 13.16 No marvell therefore if there were not many found to impugne the Papacie especially seeing the Church had fled into the wildernesse into her place at that time Apoc. 12.14 Wherefore this paucitie of adversaries against Poperie is so far from proving of it to be true Religion as that it is a manifest demonstration that it is the Religion and pestiferous Doctrine of Antichrist Reason of Religion 8 8. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion whose chiefe professors and spreaders thereof to other Nations were alwaies of a knowne a wonderfull bely if you meane full of holes and filth witnes the holy Popes Sergius III. Joane VIII John XII Sergius 3. his bastard John XIII who was slaine in the very act of adultery Sixtur IV Paule III. Gregerie VIII and a great number more holy life and semblable death the protoparents of b Will they include the Christian religion in this ranke all other religions men of a much contrary note and we are sure by the testimony of Gods word that the good and bad trees are to bee knowne by their c And so are the Papistes For there were but six thousand yong childrens heads at ones found in a fish-pond within the grange of an Abber Hulderich in Epist ad Nicol. I. fruites Matth. 7.20 Resolution of the 8. Reason Popish religion is that vvhose Professers vvere alwaies of a knowne holy life and semblable death Ergo. Popish religion is true and to be tolerated ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 WHat the * The Suppliants themselvs afterwards confesse the lives of their Professours and chief Rulers are very lewde and wicked in the 36. Reas of Religion life of Popish professours hath bin appeareth manifestly in the Catalogue of their Popes of Rome whereof some were bloody murderers some sorcerers nicromancers or coniurers some bawdes adulterers Sodomites some proude sacrilegious and craftie cousoners and others seditious rebelles traitours as is plainely declared by their owne writers vvhich because I have proved at large in my Booke de Antichriste I wil not heere repeate 2 As for their death that also appeareth in the same holy race whereof some died in the very act of adultery some swearing and blaspeming GOD some damning devoving themselues vnto the devil others thinking that there is neither God nor devil heaven nor hell nor no other lâ—fe after this as I haue also declared in that booke de Antichristo 3 I will not stand to relate particular examples in this general discourse If I shoulde speake of the death of Eccius Latemus Hofmaiter Gardiner notable professours of Papistrie and of the death of Francis Spiera a revoulter from the Protestantes religion it would make any mans haire to stand on end that heard it 4 The Papacy by vertue of the religioÌ„ which it professeth is the kingdome of sinne as I have proved at large in my Booke De Ecclesia Antichristi And therefore it is most certaine that within the communion of Popish Religion men can neither live well nor die well II. To the Consequence 1 But be their lives and their deaths what they may bee Religion must not bee measured by the lives of the Professours An heretike may liue an honest morall life as Pelagius is said to have done and a good ChristiaÌ„ may fall oftentimes as we reade of David and others 2. Sam. 11.4.15.17 2 A rotten and worme-eaten apple hanging vpon a good tree seeing that came not through the nature of the tree but by meanes of wormes birdes or some such accident ministreth not sufficient argument to prove that tree to bee an ill tree so the ill workes of Christians ought not to staine their holy religion For the corruptioÌ„ of their fruites commeth not from the nature of their religion which forbiddeth such fruites or workes but from themselues from their owne native and originall corruption 3 Yet the ill lives worse deâ—th of the Papistes are sufficient to condemne THEIR doctrine because they proceede from the nature and articles of their religion as shall be more manifest in the sequel 9. REASON OF RELIGION A religion to which the a Even so we see it prophecied of before Apoc. 17. that the Kinges of the earth should commit fornicatioÌ„ with the great whore and give their power cucto rity vnto the beast famousest Constantinus * ImpudeÌ„t Papists that challenge all these Princes to bee theirs whereas very many of theÌ„ died before Popery asceÌ„ded from the pit of Hell anâ— manie also were the greatest enemies that the Pope or Papacy hâ—d Magnus Iavianus with aboue forty Emperours of the East Maiorianus Carolus Magnus with full neere fortie other Emperours of the West Emperours and (b) Clodoueus Childiberius with aboue three-score Kinges of Fraunce Ranimirus Sanctius with almost twenty other Kinges of Aragon Telagius Pasila with at least forty other Kings of Castile Alphonsus Sanctius with many moe Kinges of Portugall Geyza Stephanus with aboue thirty Kings of HuÌ„garie Besides the Kinges of Polonia Bohemia Denmarke Norway Suetheland Gothland Dalmatia Baioria Germania AlemaÌ„nia Morauia Loraine Burgundy Prouince Lomberdy Italy Naples Sicily Sardinia Nauarre end the Kinges of Affricke as of AEthiopia Nubia others Likewise the Kings of Canaria Manicongus Benopâ—tama Angola Guinea Bentoninus Quilca Melinda Mozambique the Kinges of Asia as of Ciprus Armenia HierusaleÌ„ Tartaria and some Kinges of the Agarens and Saracens many Kinges of the Heruleans Iberians Alanes Abasgorians Lazorians Scithians Persians and others Kings of the world haue bowed their Crownes (c) As * A Begging of the question Constantinus Magnus Emperour Dagoberius Carolus S Iudovicus and other Kings of Fraunce Alphonsus Ranimirus 2. Alphonsus
their sinnes our religion abhorreth detesteth as a prophanation of the whole Gospell especially of the satisfaction of Christ 5 Prescript fasting daies set times of abstinence the Papistes borrowed of Montanus the Heretike as we haue declared before But a religious fast that is when a man wanting some blessing or seeing some eminent calamity abstaineth not from flesh for a season but also from al delights sustenance that therby he may make a more diligent search into his owne sinnes and offer most humble praiers vnto God c. our religioÌ„ teacheth we practise 6 Vowes made vnto GOD of things honest lawful possible our religion teacheth ought to be performed But Popish vowes of Pilgrimages of offring to Idols of perpetual single life of MoÌ„kerie our religion accoÌ„pteth not honest nor lawful but made vnto the Devill and exsecrable 7 One vniforme stint of faith coÌ„tained only in the holy Scriptures we teach but the coÌ„tradictions dissentioÌ„s of the Papists are innumerable as we have proved before 8 MortificatioÌ„ that is that part of sanctâ—ficatioÌ„ wherby the power of sinne is crucified in the faithfull Rom. 6.2.3.4 Galat. 5.24 we religiously teach But Popish externall maceratings we condemne II. To the Consequence The Argument is rather thus to be concluded Popish religioÌ„ teacheth auricular coÌ„fession to a Priest perverteth the doctrine of repentance restitution satisfaction fasting vowes the sufficiency of the Scriptures and mortification Ergo. Popish religion is the. Apostolicall religion of Antichrist Reason of Religion 21 21. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion for whose desence the Title of Defender of the Faith vvas first given to the Kings of our Nation the Title of Most Christian to the kings of France of Most Catholike to the kings of Spaine the still retaining of which Titles doth a I marvel how the Suppliants are not ashamed to deduce a consequeÌ„ce the falschood wherof is notoriously evident argue the allowance of her iurisdiction And there is b No one of the ancient Fathers did ever expound that place of the Popish Church no one of the ancient Fathers who doth not vnderstand these words of the Prophet to be only meant of this Church The NatioÌ„ and Kingdome that will not serue thee shall perish Esa 6.12 Resolution of the 21. Reason Popish Religion is that for whose defence the King of England was called Defender of the faith the K. of France Most Christian and the K. of Spaine Most Catholique Ergo Poperie is true Religion and to be tolerated ANSWERE 1 WHat coherence is there between the AntecedeÌ„t and the Consequence When the Pope gaue vnto the King of England the title DefeÌ„der of the faith as Caiphas prophecied against him selfe so the Pope prophecied his own destructioÌ„ For even that King which hee so first called King Henry VIII of famous memory was the first King in all Europe that cut his combe Defended the faith indeed which all his noble Successours haue with singular constancy hitherto continued GOD bee praised excepting only Queene Marie whose raigne was but fiue yeares Reason of Religion 22 22. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion into whose society and profession whosoeuer truely entreth by and by liveth in a Stil they speak by contraries as appeareth in the Answere more awe of God and feare of sinne changeth his former life to the better and of the other side whosoever leavâ—th ouâ— and departeth from heâ— fellowshâ—p communion beginneth incontment to lead a worse liâ—e then whiles he liued her childe frequented her Sacraments Of both which there be store of examples and of the latter too many verifying what is said and not vnknowne to thousands yea the case is so fain liar as it is now growne into a Proverb with many b A new coyned Proverb which is to be vnderstood contrarywise That the Protestant Religion is good to liue in but the Papist religion good to die in Resolution of the 22. Reason Popish Religion is that into whose profession whosoever truely entereth by and by liveth in more awe of God and feare of sinne and changeth his former life to better Ergo Popish Religion is true and to be tolerated ANSWERE 1 THe Antecedent is most false For Popish Religion is the Policie of Satan yea the very chaines and fetters of the Divell to detaine men as slaues in the misery thraledome of sinne And that the Christian Reader may know that I do not vse any hyperbolicall speeches herein I beseech him in the bowels of our Saviour IESVS CHRIST seriously to waygh these things that follow 2 What could be fitter for Satan for the continuance and enlargement of his Kingdome then the Popish doctrin of the Popes supremacie over al of his fulnesse of power of receiving both the Scriptures and their exposition from him of obeying that he coÌ„manded of not iudging him though hee carryed ten thousand yea innumerable Soules togither with him selfe into HEL Dist 40. c. 6. Si Papa of devout ignorance of iudging them heretiks who speake against him of pursuing and persecuting them with fire sword of purgatory of auriculer confession of the immunities exemptioÌ„ and priviledges of his Cleargy of the pompe and idlenes of his hierarchie and of all their suttle and serpent-like contrived false worship 3 The practises of Egypt toyling Israel with al base service and villanie of killing their male childreÌ„ or of the barbarous tyranny of wasting the west Indies was not nor is not more suttly divellishly devised to detaine those free nations in perpetual bondage slavery then the Popish doctrine was is to establish the kingdome of Antichrist and to detaine the people of God in everlasting servitude and slauerie both of body and soule 4 And as for Christian honestie of life duties towards men the Popish doctrine of Absolutions of Dispensations of Pardons of Satisfactions of Sanctuaries is for the impunity easie discharge of all malefactors a maine cause and mother of al abominations and wickednesse 5 Furthermore their sundrie rules orders of hypocrisy contention idlenes their constrained abstinence from marriage their permissioÌ„ defence of the Stewes are causes of all enormities of vncleanes of infinite murders other manifold offences So that the waters of Noahs floud did not so high drowne all the olde world as those flouds of wickednes which by such occasions have risen did and do still overflow al such kingdomes nations as this doctrine of theirs like a sea of sinne might breake into 6 Hence it appeareth evideÌ„tly Note that if a man were assured of the salvation of his soule in Popery ther is NO Religion BETTER to live in For There is NO religion vnder heaven which coÌ„taineth greater licenciousnes in it nor giveth more liberty vnto the flesh then doth POPISH RELIGION Reason of Religion 23 23. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion which now hath and had in al ages the most famous meÌ„ for a
robbe him of the end he suffered for namely to sanctifie and cleanse his Church as S. Paule witnesseth to render is glorious vnto him it were the church being as the same Apostle writeth Christ bodie and the fulnes of him to make Christ a head bodilesse and take as it were his totality or perfection from him it were to divorce our Saviour from his dearely beloved spouse a Ephes 5 29. formed out of his side vpon the crosse and inseperably ioyned in marriage with him it were to bereaue his omnipoteÌ„t Maiestie of b 1. Tim. 315. Colos 1.14 Psal 2.8 his house kingdome lotte and heritage vpon earch for such is his Church vnto him and so called in holy Scripture yea it were directly to charge the Prophets the Apostles and even Christ himselfe either with vntruthes or absurdities The Prophets because these words are reade in c Esa 60.11 Cap 61.8 Esay Thy getes speaking to the future Church of ChristiaÌ„s shall be opeÌ„ continually neither day nor night shall they be shutte the strength of the Gentiles and their Kings may be brought vnto thee And in another place I the Lord will make an everlasting covenant with them and their seede shall be knowne among the Gentiles and their braunches in the widst of people All that see them shall knows them that they are seede which our Lorde hath blessed What could be plainer spoken for proofe either of the f This is not proved from thence the perpetuitis wee graunt visibility or perpetuitie of Christs Church her gates saith he shall be open coÌ„tinually shut neither by day nor night and that God hath made and everlasting covenant with her and that g But he saith not All shall see all that see her children shall know theÌ„ know that our Lord hath blessed them The Apostle because S. Paule writing to d 1. Tim. 3.15 Timothie teacheth him how he ought to coÌ„verse in the house of God so terming the church of God now if the church were invisible the instruction must needes be vaine and absurde for none can converse in an h Neither do we say that the Church is alwaies invisible invisible house Again e Acts 20.28 Matth. 28.20 S. Luke writeth that the holy Ghost placed Bishops in the church of God to rule the same but who can rule a flocke that is either invisible or vnknowne Christ himselfe because he promised his Apostles to remaine with them all daies to the consummation of the world Which promise being made to the Apostles was made to a visible Church and for that they were not being mortall to live to the worldes ende the promise was vndoubtedly made to them and their Successors in their persons and i A plaine inconsequence therefore the Church neither ever to cease or become invisible Neither can the reasons and places precedent be avoided by the ignorant distinction of a invisible and invisible Church vnderstanding by the latter the hid and vnknowne congregation of the Predestinate because the Church being a society of men as all writers affirme and every society requiring of necessity some visible signe badge ceremony bond rite profession inrollemeÌ„â— or some other like marke wherby the members of the same may be knowne one to the other and also from others which essential point failing in the company of the predestinat they can no way possible make vp the k False Contra Faust lib. 19. cap. 11. realtye name or nature of a Church For as S. Austen truely writech In nullum nomen religionis sen ve rum sâ—u falsum coagulari homines posiuns nisi aliquo signaculos um vel Sacramentorum visibilium consortio colligentur Men cannot be incorporate in any one name of Religion either false or trueâ— vnlefle they be combined togither by some communitie or participation of visible seales or Sacramentes Againe this hid and vnknowne predestinate company which must be thought to constitute an invisible Church do l A foolish Dilemma see the Answere either refuse or not refuse to communicate with the false and adulterous church in Ecclesiasticall subiection service sacraments and externall worship if they do refuse then is their company and Church not invisible but most visible markable on the other side if they do not refuse then sith the false Church is by testimony of the holy Ghost †Apoc. 2.9 the Synagogne of Satan her doctrine b 1. Tim. 4.1 the doctrine of Diuels they must needs be guitly of damnable sin by such their partaking with her And therefore their company not Gods Church because that multitude cannot possibly be Gods Church wherein there are none c Ephes 5 27. Aug. contr Donatist post Col. cap. 20. de doctr Christi l. 3 c. 34. Retract li. 2. c. 18. epist 48. ad Vincentiâ—â—â— good but all wicked dissemblers cloâ—ers of their faith With the hart d Rom. 10.10 saith S. Paul we beleeue vnto iustice but with the mouth vnderstanding thereby all externall actions confession is made to salvation And the same Apostle biddeth all men e Rom. 16.17 Tit. 3.10 to avoide false teachers and f 2. Cor. 6.17 separate themselues from them yea g Ioh. 10.5 not to follow them but to flee from them is a marke which cur Saviour himselfe giueth of distinguishing his true sheepe from others We would say by that is said that perpetuall visiblenesse being an m Begging of the question essentiall quality note of Gods church and ever really existing with vs and in our Religion as all sorts of testimonies in the world doe witnesse and in no other company or congregation soeuer it followeth that n Impudent Beggers our Church is the sole true church and spouse of Christ Resolution of the 31. Reason Popish Religion is that whose professant company or congregation hath bin evermore since the first planting therof very visible perspicuous Ergo Popish religion is true religion and so to be tolerated ANSWERE To the Antecedent 1 I grant that from the yeere of Christ 605 when the dispersed points of Popery began to be established in the Primacy granted by Phocas vnto Boniface III. the professsant company thereof hath bin very visible and perspicuous 2 But it was not so from the beginning As the light in the first day was carryed vp and downe without any guid Gen. 1. and at length governed by the Sunne which God created for that purpose So the mystery of Popery at the first in the time of the Primitiue Church was stayed in no certaine subiect but wandred invisibly in the divers passages of running wits till at last it was setled in the See of Rome in the person of Boniface III. and his successors II To the Consequence 1 Popery is not therfore true Religion because from the first planting therof by the Divell the professors of it haue bin visible because visibility in that sense is
personal succession from Andrew the Apostle The Patriarke as Antiâ—ch sitting now at Damascus from the Apostle Peter and the Patriarke of Alexandria who sitteth now at Alcairum from the Evangelist Marke And yet the Papistes say that these Patriarkes are Heretiques Schismatiques for all their successioÌ„ Wherfore should not we iudge the same of them 5 It is not true that all the Popes of Rome helde vnitie with their predecessours Sabinianus was a mortall enemy of Gregorie I. Caranza Sum. Concil pag. 203. And the hoate warres betweene Stephen VI and Pope Formosus I haue laid downe before pag. 63.64 to insist in no more particulars 6 Much lesse is it true that they keepe the faith from the Apostles time for they gave heede vnto Spirites of eâ—rours and to doctrines of devils 1 Tim. 4.1 as I have often declared already 7 But say the Suppliants if we have corrupted the faith name who when and where it was corrupted This cavill is Answered already pag. 42. 43. VVhat is it not sufficient if I shewe that the Popishe faith is corrupt but I must needes declare what time by whom and where it was corrupted If one should shew vnto the Suppliants a man sicke of a consumption or a seare and rotten tree Wil they deny these to be such except he precisely define vnto them time place manner how they became so and began to consume and rotte Againe the Papists say their Church is like vnto a Ship wee cry out it is quite drowned with corruption errors which soake in by litle and litle through the clefts chinkes that were in the same Dare the Suppliants deny this excepte I tell them at what houre their ship began to cleaue shew theÌ„ the first droppe of water that soakt in The corrupting of the Church is not done in a moment of time but errours creepe in by little little which except they bee speedily prevented wil at last quite coÌ„sume destroy the Church 8 Indeede if a sound healthful man should be beheaded at one blow if a tree were presently cut downe or violently puld vp by the rootes if the ship were drowned with one waue so if the Church being sound in every part were vpon the sudden destroyed by some present calamity then were it easie to note the very article of time other circuÌ„stances But the case betweene vs and the Papistes is otherwise VVee acknowledge that their Church did for a long time heape vp that masse of errors which at length oppressed almost the whole world And if the Suppliants wil cal for a witnesse hereof I will produce the Apostle Paule who speaking of the general Apostasie which should come saith 2. Thes 2.7 The mysterie of iniquitie doth already worke Reason of Religion 35 REASON OF RELIGION A Religion whose doctrine so generally symboliseth holdeth the like absolute a Begging of the question they consent neither with scriptures Councels nor Fathers consent with all parts of holy Scriprure that were ever received of the Christian worlde with the decrees of all confirmed Oecumenicall Councels with the ioint assertions of all ancient Fathers as shee is not driven like (b) The Lutheran Calvinist * Wee take theÌ„ as they be Apocriphall writings The Fathers oid so See pag. 92. reiect Baruch Toby Iudith the booke of Wisdome Ecclesiastic us the Machabees certaine Chapters of Esther the last parte of Daniel And the Lutherans the Epistle of S. James S. Paule to the * The Lutherens are manifestly slandered Hebrewes the Epistle of Saint Iude the second of S. Peter the seconde and thirde of Sains John other religions for defending her positions to reiect either Scripturie Councel or the vniforme opinion of Doctours but taketh the approbation of her doctrin from them all and teacheth all her children out of S. Augustine (c) Epist. 118. cap. 5. Disputare contra id quod tota per orbem frequentas ecclesia insolentissimae dementiae est To calthe lawfulnes of that into question which the whole Church frequenteth throughout the worlde is most insolent madnesse Resolution of the 35. Reason Popish religion holdeth absolute consent vvith all partes of bolie Scripture with the decrees of all Occumenicall Councels and with the ioynt assertions of all ancient Fathers Ergo. Poperie is true religion and to be tolerated ANSWERE 1 This Reason is the very same with the 28. Reason going before that is an impudent vaine brag which neither the Suppliants nor all the world shall ever bee able to proue 2 For indeed the grounds of Popish religionâ— are their owne private interpretations traditions of men without warrant either from the Scriptures or from General Councels or ancient Fathees that are of credite in the Church of God 3 I wil alledge but a few proofes for a tast amongst infinite of others which might be brought I. The Papists differ yea are quite contrary vnto the holy Scriptures The Scriptures teach iustification freely by faith in Christ without works Rom. 3.24.25 Ephes 2.8.9 c. The Papists condemne theÌ„ for heretiks that teach so The Scriptures teach that Christes offering himselfe once for all hath made perfect all them that are sanctified Heb. 10.14 The Papistes teach contrariwise that they must be perfected by the iteration of his sacrifice in the Masse The Scriptures teach that Christ ascended into heaveÌ„ Colos 3.1 Act. 1.9 c. that the heavens must containe him vntill the resurrection of all thinges Acts 3.21 The Papists coÌ„trarily will haue him as oft as they consecrate to come downe to hide himselfe vnder the formes of bread wine The Scriptures say concerning the Cup in the Sacraments Drinke yee all of this Math. 26.22 The Papistes say that lay men must not drinke thereof The Scriptures forbid the making and worshipping of Images Exod. 20.4 The Papists allow both these The Scriptures preferre the speaking of 5. words in the Church that may be vnderstood before 10000. in a tongue not vnderstoods Cor. 14.19 The Papists thinke iust the contrarie The Scriptures account marriage honorable among all men in all estates the marriage bed vndefiled Heb. 13.4 The Papists condemne it in their Priests as a filthie life The Scriptures teach that God worketh even in the regenerate both to wil to performe even of his owne good pleasure Philip. 2.13 The Papists teach contrary wise in their doctrine of free-wil The Scriptures teach that there is but one GOD but one Mediatour betwixt God Man the man Iesus Christ 1. Tim 2. The Papists set vp a nuÌ„ber of Mediatours Advocates besides The Scriptures teach that no man can lay any other foundation then that which is alreadie laide Christ Iesus 1. Cor. 3.11 The Papists have laid Peter his successours for the foundation of their Church 4 II They disagree from the sanctions of Oecumenical Councels The Apostles in the I. Synode decreede that the Disciples should not be burdened with
all are bound vnto that beleeue the verity of the Catholike Religion and purpose stilâ— to keepe themselues her children because the vnity consisteth in the a Aug. de doctr Christian. li. 3. cap. 6. epist 118. cap. 1. Basil in exhort ad baptism connexioÌ„ of the members togither by an external reuerence and vse of the same seruice and sacraments and is broken by having communion in either with any other contrary religion And it is an axiâ—me among all Divines that b Aug. de vnit Eccl. cont Petil. ep cap 2. cont lit Pet. l 2. c 38 in Evangel Ioan. tract 118 in ser sap gest cum Emerito vltramed epist. 152. Cypr de Simplie Praelatorum extra ecclesiam non est saâ—us there is no hope of salvation but of the Church To which Laâ—tantius most plainely subscribeth saying c Lib. 4. ca. vlt. divi Instit Sola ecclesia catholica est templum dei quo si quis non intraverit vel à que si quis exierit à spe vitae ac salutis aeternae alienus est The Catholike Church is only the temple of God into which if any shall not enter or out of which if any shall depart hee is an alien from hope of life and eternall salvation Neither doth the Apostle affirme lesse in sense where he saith that d Ephes 5.23 Christ is the Saviour of his body that e Ephes 1.23 Ephes 4.5 Cantic 6.8 the Church is his body Nor is it possible to be conceiued in any vnderstanding that two such repugnant and contradictory manners of seruing God there beeing but one Lord one truth one faith one Church as the Catholike and Protestante obserue in their Churches can be both good or not one of them very vngodly and in no case to be communicated with vnder paine of eternall damnation By the little which is saide your princely Wisedome may easily perceiue that cur abstaining from Church is in vs g Most false Rom 14.14 23. Chrysost hom 26. in ep ad Rom. est sententia coÌ„munis omniuÌ„ Theolog. in 2 Dist 30. D. Tho. 1.2 qu 10 art 5. no formall act of disobedience much lesse of selfe-wilfulnesse or contempt of your Maiesties laws aspersioÌ„s with which many would distaine our refusal but a true reall obligation of meere conscience especially for so long as we hold the inward perswasion we do in respect an erroneous conscience bindeth as strongly and vnder equall paine as doth the conscience that is best and most rightly informed To draw to an h Jâ— is full time I thinke they haue babbled long enough end we most submissiuely beseech your Maiestie to conceaue no otherwise of vs then of your most dutiful and loyal vassals acknowledging in i Nothing but so yet not so neither Reade Bozius his book de Temporali Eccl Monarc all politike and civil affaires no other Superior theÌ„ the sacred authority of your Highnes resting ever most ready to accomplish al your commaÌ„dements touching the same were our liues never so certainly engaged in the executioÌ„ Only requesting that in matters of soule conscience we may haue leaue to distinguish an eternal Lord for a temporal Lord to preferre our k They cal dark nesse light obedience to the one before our obedience to the other if obedience to Princes against God may be tearmed obedience not rather irreligious pusillanimity And as wee haue presumed moâ—â— precious Soveraigne vpon confidence of your true royal dispositioÌ„ benignity to make known to your Princely consideration wisdome our gr efes our hopes the favor connivence we desire togither with some few reasons aswel of state as of religioÌ„ for shewing the coÌ„cordance that our request hath with the good of state also the grounds of our perswasion in conscience why the religioÌ„ we beleeue in is true So do we carry a most tender regard of yeelding all satisfaction to your Maiestie and to all other in authority yea even to those who stande most iealously conceited of the true affection loyalty of Priests the Pastours of our soules towards your Highnesse person Crowne the weale of the Realme In whose behalfe we l These men wil prescribe the King what to doe doe therefore confidently and most assuredly vndertake that they all shall willingly readyly take their m But cannot the Pope dispense with these at his pleasure corporall oaths for continuing their true alleageance to your Maiestle and the State or in case that bee not thought aslurance enough they shall giue in sufficient suerties n AvaÌ„t knaues what are one or two treacherous Papists sufficient hostages for the securitie of of a Prince safety of a realme one or moe who shall stand bound life for life â—or the performance of the said alleageance and of their fidelity and faithfulnes in the premisses Yea they most voluntaâ—ily offer yet further that it so any of their number be not able to put in such securitie for their loyall cariages that then they will all ioine in one supplication to the Pope for recalling such o His Maiestie needeth not the Popes helpe for effecting this businesse priests out the Land whosoever they be or how many soever We feare to be tedious and therfore we wil shut vp all in few words Our hearts our soules and both with deepest cries doe most humbly alike instantly beseech your most excellent Maiestie to take pitie of our afflictions to compassionate our sufferings and to relieue our long indured pressures either by licensing the free vse of our Catholike Religion or if we may not be so happy yet at least by graunting a publike Disputation to the end we may be heard our cause tryed our teachers receiue confutation and the deserved shame of their salfe doctrine if in case they haue misled vs. A favour which the adversaries of our Religion haue obtained in other Countries and which our Country-oppositors seeme in their bookes to be very desirous of and is also of it selfe of all other meanes the most potent to reunite all parties in one the deceived being hereby let to see their errors So that by the grant here of no doubt your Maiestie shall get eternall praise over the Christian world the Protestant Religion everlasting fame if shee prevaile the neighbour Countries great edification the waverers and such as are doubtfull in faith a stay and worthy satisfaction as none greater al posterity a right noble example and president to follow And we your Maiesties loyall subiects must and shall alwaies as our bounden duety exacteth rest through the delivery out of the blindnes if so wee liue in blindnes for ever most strictly oblieged to pray incessantly for your Highnes long life and prosperous Raigne over all your Dominions with multiplication of immortall renowne in this world and of endles ioies in the next God saue the King