Catalogue before recited and see what colour they haue to set vpon their false suggestion which they buzze into the eares of their proselites that our Religion was not heard of before Luthers time when we haue such a cloude of Witnesses of our side as already hath beene produced Their first cauill is against the smalnesse of the number Geneâ—raâ—d Chr. lib. 4. Admit say they that there haue beene in the daies of old some that haue leaned to diuers of these hereticall propositions of the Protestants and haue opposed themselues against the doctrine of the Romish Church Brist profâ—â— in 〈◊〉 as there hath beene scarce any peece or Article of the Roman faith but by one or other first or last it hath beene called in question yet as Andrew said of the fiue Barly Loaues and two small Fishes which were to bee deuided among fiue thousand hungry people Ioh. 6.9 Iohn 6.9 What are these among so many so say they What are these few Bellarm. lib. 4. de Eccles c. 8. Rhem. in Act. 11 sâ— 4. this little handfull of Protestants in regard of whole Countries Kingdomes and Nations throughout all the world who haue embraced the Catholike faith of the Church of Rome and adhaered to that sea or how can so small a number make a visible Church To this we answer 1. That number or multitude is no true marke or note of a Church for if Truth should be measured by the opinion or practise of the multitude Then Iesabels Church should bee better then the Church of which Elias was King 18.19 for Baals Prophets were 450. fed at Iesabels Table when as Elias as farre as hee could see was left himselfe alone Then should the Pagan religion bee better then that in Israel which was but an handfull in regard of the rest of the world â—sal 76.1.2 Psal 147.19.20 Then should Turkisme bee better then the Christian religion for that at this day hath greater number that follow it then this And so the Turke should be better then the Pope Mahumetisme more to be commended then Poperie because the ones Dominion is larger in extent then the other and that hath more Proselites then this But our Blessed Sauiour himselfe preuenteth that obiection when he calleth his flocke Pufillum gregem A little flocke Luk. 12.13 Luk. 12.31 and againe telleth vs. Mat. 7.13 Math. 7.13 that wide is the gate and broad thei way that leadeth to destruction and many there bee which goe in thereat but straight is the gate and narrow the way which leadeth vnto life and few there bee that finde it 2. It is no wonder that in these times of persecution of the Church of Christ by the See of Rome the number of true professors was so small for these were the daies and times Reuel 12.5.6 When this woman fled into the wildernesse when the greatest part of the Christian world both small and great rich and poore Reuel 13.16 17. bond and free were compelled to receaue the marke of the Beast and no man could buy or sell saue hee that had the marke or the name of the beast or the number of his name By reason whereof the number of this faithfull flocke of Christ was much diminished and obscured which is the cause why the professors of our Religion in those times being driuen from place to place and persecuted by Antichristian tyrannie Their names the places of their abode and other circumstances whereby their memories should haue beene preserued could not so easily be made knowne vnto vs. 3. As the true Church may sometimes bee more secret and hidden yea reduced to a very small number as already hath beene declared so that number be it neuer so small that company be they neuer so few professing the Truth aright and hauing the right markes of the Church may be a true Church Where two or three saith our blessed Sauiour are gathered together in my name there am I in the middest of â—â—em Mat. 18.20 Math. 18.20 Whereupon Tertullian inferreth Tertul. exhorâ— ad Castital Augustin Ennar in psal 2â— Darand lib. 6. 72. v. 25. Where three are that sincerely professe the truth there is a Church And Augustin saith The Church sometimes was only in the house of Noah sometimes in Abrahams family only sometimes in Lot and his house And the Papists themselues doe acknowledge that at the time of our Sauiours Passion the true Faith remayned onely in the Virgin Mary 4. Neither haue I in the Catologue before recited set downe all that either liued or are recorded in the seuerall Ages aboue mentioned but onely a few in stead of many by which few it may bee easily gathered that there were many more of them for such Learned such eminent men when they shew foorth themselues could not want partakers howsoeuer the oppression and Tyrannie of the aduerse partie did keepe them vnder Neither are there so few who haue already beene named if wee rightly cast the account In some of these Centuries and halfe Centuries I confesse there appeare more in some lesse as the cloud of Popish ignorance or persecution did thicken or lessen as sometimes amounting to hundreds at other times to thousands as may appeare by that which already hath been alledged And this if wee had no more witnesses to produce were enough for answer vnto their demand who require vs to shew any that professed our Religion before the dayes of Martin Luther and to stop the mouthes of our Popish aduersaries who thus vauntingly insult ouer vs That they will not put the Protestants to proue that there were seauen thousand of their Sect before their new Elias Rhem. in Rom. 11.4 Luther began But let them proue say they that there were seauen or any one either then or before then in any Age that was in all points of his beliefe Obiect 2 And these last wordes of the Rhemists are a branch of another Obiection which the Papists frame against our former Catologue Gregor de Valent Com. theol com 3. d. 1. And that is this How can you prooue say they that those parties whom you claime to bee yours such as in the former Catalogue were mentioned held the same Religion which you now doe or if in some things they may seeme to accord with you yet that in all points they were of your beliefe To this I answer 1. That it is not requisite that to proue them to professe the same Religion together with vs wee must proue them in all points to haue beene of our Beliefe or that the least difference in opinion should make a difference in Religion for what Church euer was there wherein all the members thereof did fully consent in euery point without any shew of difference Surely not the Pope Catholique Church for doe all that professe themselues members of that Church agree in euery point professed and maintained by that Church Concil Trident. Waâ—â— Quodâ— What then meane
in our Church so that the most part of the bookes which of late come from the presse are written of this subiect yet I hope this mine after-gleaning shall neither seeme presumptuous nor superfluous It is the counsell aduise of S. Augustin that at such times and vpon such occasions as these are al men should write that haue any faculty in writing albeit it be but the same things in other words that all sorts of people among many books might light vpoÌ„ some and the enemie in all places might find some to encounter him For Zions sake I could not hold my peace and for Ierusalems sake I could not rest Esay 62 1. vntill the righteousnesse thereof goe forth as brightnesse and the saluation thereof as a lampe that burneth And if any shall demand of me as Ioab did of Ahimaaz 2. Sam. 18.12.13 why I would be so desirous to run this way after so many better-footed Cushies mine Apology is yet let me runne after them though it be like Ascanius Non passibus aquis althogh the matter bee the same or much more mean my method peraduenture may be more plaine For in this controuersie betweene vs and the Papists coÌ„cerning the Antiquity of both our Churches I follow the tract prescribed by Moses 1 Looking backe into the dayes of old and the yeares of many generations 2 Making inquiry of our fathers and our elders that they may shew and tell vs whether Church whether Religion is the ancientest And I begin first with the first The triall of the truth hereof by the antiquitie of time because the Papists now adaies principally insist vpon this point The Church of God say they consisteth not of a few people but of many Bell de eccles lib. 3. c. 13. Gregor de Valen. tom 3. p. 142. Coster Enchir. c. 2. Rhemist in Act. 11.24 it is not hidden or obscure but conspicuous the company thereof perpetually holdeth a visible succession of Pastors and people as sensibly as any other society of men so that any time one may point with his finger and say this is the Church But the Protestants Church cannot shew this ergo it is no true Chuch Concerning that tenent of theirs about the perpetuall visibility of the Church in that sense as they take it how infirme it is I refer the reader to the learned Treatises of the most reuerend and iudicious Diuines of our Church Archbishop of Cant. in his treatise of the visiâ—l of the Church D. Field of the Church D. White way to the true Church who haue purposely written of that Argument I rather bend my selfe to refute their Minor proposition wherein they deny that we of the Protestant Church can shew any such succession or visibility of our Church and Religion in former times And that so much the rather because Gregory of Valenza peremptorily maintaineth Greg. de Valen. 〈◊〉 3. p. 142. that this is a point which pusseleth vs extreamly that we are not able to shew any company of people which in times past was knowne in the world to hold that forme of doctrine religion which we haue brought in wherein albeit as their owne Bellarmine confesseth It is not required to the vniuersality of the Church Bellarâ—â—â— c. 7. that of necessity there be at all times in euery Country some beleeuers it sufficeth if there be successiuely whence saith hee it followeth that if only one Prouince did retaine the true faith yet should it truly and properly be called the Catholike Church as long as it might be shewed that it were the same which it was at other times in other places of the world yet such hath been the singular mercy of God to his Church in the manifestation thereof that we are able to shew that there hath beene no place in Christendome but there haue been some of our religion therein as not only our own experience Bez. sign eccâ—â—â— lib. 19. c. 1. Bellar. de Roâ—â— Pont. lib. 3. c. 2 but our aduersaries owne reports beare witnesse when they complaine how our heresie so hereticks style it hath possessed many and large Prouinces To make this the better manifest I shall in the ensuing discourse set downe as in a Table a particular Catalogue in what places at what times by what persons our Religion hath been professed and maintained in former ages For an introduction whereunto let vs first consider what our Aduersaries do except against vs. As the Iewes sometimes spake vnto our Sauiour Thou art not yet fifty yeares old Iohn 8.37 and hast thou seene Abraham so the Papists say to vs Rhem. annot in Ephes 4. v. 13. Your Religion is not yet an hundred yeeres old and can such a Religion be good And as the Gentiles sometimes vpbraided the Primitiue Christians Prudent peripâ— hymn 10. Nunc dogma nobis ChristianuÌ„ nascitur post euolutos mille demuÌ„ consules Now after we know not how many thousand Consul times the Christian Religion forsooth is start vp So the Papists obiect against vs now at the last after so many hundred yeares Câ—â—pian Bâ—ll de eccles lib. 4. c. 5. after so many hundred Popes after so long continuance of the faith and doctrine of the church of Rome without any alteratioÌ„ or opposition The Protestant Religion is sprung vp the first founder thereof being Martin Luther an Apostate Frier c. Popish discourse concerning faith p. 57. The Protestant Religion saith the Iesuit was neuer heard of before Martin Luther set it abroach and a late popish Doctor blusheth not to vtter that it is most manifest that all in England were Papists without exception from the first christning thereof vntill about the latter end of King Henry the eight Vide Archb. of Cant. de visib eccles p. 74. What was our Religion neuer heard of before Luther set it abroach were all in England Papists euery one without exception in that religion from the first time that it was Christian till Henry the eight brought in an Innouation Let vs try the honesty of these Popish Doctors and by a view of this try how in other things we may trust theÌ„ on their words let vs according to the counsell of Moses the man of God looke to the dayes of old and the yeares of many generations let vs search the records of time and beginning with Luther looke backward vnto the former times to the yeares of many generations that were before him and if we do not find the footsteps of our Religion in those ancienter dayes let the Papists be credited and our mouthes stopped Martin Luther was borne at Isâ—â—bâ—n in Saxony 〈…〉 Abbâ—t Vsâ—org Iob. S â—â—dum Martyâ—al â—â—glic p. 771 772. Anno Domini 1483. Hee was brought vp in the Vniuersitie first of Magdeburg then of Erford and afterwards at Wittenburgh where at the age of 29 he commenced Doctor At the first he was a Monke of the Augustine Order and he bâ—ganne to distast
named I might goe on in the comparison through euery point of Doctrine in our Churches and shew the consent of these likewise in the particulars together with vs But for auoyding of prolixitie I referre the Reader to the examination hereof in the denotation of their particular opinions as they are set downe in order in the Catalogue And here by the way wee will meet with another Obiect 3 Objection of theirs which is this What doe you talke say they of Vnitie and Consent in your Protestant Churches you cannot tell whom you follow nor who are with you The Lutherans are against the Zuinglians these against the Caluinists The Geneua and other reformed Churches differ in many points from the English Therefore if any in the Catalogue before mentioned were Lutherans they were none of yours If they were Caluinists they were none of yours And therefore how can you shew your Religion in former times I answer 1. It is not strange to see difference in some circumstances betweene those that professe one and the same Religion St. Paul testifieth of the Church of Rome euen then when it was at the best That there were therein who caused diuisions and dissentions contrary to the Doctrine which they had receiued Rom. 16.17 And of the Corinthians hee saith There was among them enuying strife and contention some held of Paul 1 Cor. 3.3 Act. 15.39 Gal. 2.12 some of Apollos some of Cephas So Paul Barrabas yea Paul Peter had their differences So Polyâ—rates and Victor Cyprian and Cornelius Cyrill Theodoret Hierâ—me and Ruffinus Nazianzen and the Councell of Constantinople had not onely their differences but also bitter oppositions yet all agreeing in the substance of Faith reputed members of the same Catholike Church 2. Wee answer The defects and corruptions of Churches must be distinguished and they bee either in Doctrine or in manners Againe corruptions in Doctrine must further bee distinguished some of them are errours indeed but besides the foundation some directly against the foundation and these ouerturne all Religion whereas the former doe not As are these defects and corruptions in Churches so are their differences some about Ceremonies some about substance Now although the Churches of Geneua Heluetia Belgia c. differ from vs in some points of Ceremonies and Circumstances yet looke we to the substance of Faith and Doctrine which wee and they professe there is no difference at all betweene vs Indeed the maine difference is betweene vs and them about the point of Ecclesiasticall Discipline But marke in what manner we all ioyntly agree in the substance of the Discipline confessing on each side that there must bee the Preaching of the Word Administration of the Sacraments according to the institution and the vse of the power of the Keyes in Admonitions Suspensions Excommunications The difference betweene vs is onely touching the persons and the manner of putting this Discipline in execution And therefore notwithstanding this by difference wee and they are of one and the same Religion as may likewise appeare by the Harmonie of Confessions 3. As concerning those Churches which commonly are called the Lutheran Churches though their Augustan Confession hath not satisfied the expectation of other of the reformed Churches and some of the more rigid among them Admonition of the Ministers in the Paâ—lâ—r hate vs as bad as Papists yet we and they are of one Church for we haue the same enemies in matters of Religion and doe alike confesse the Diuinitie The office of the Mediator the doctrine of Faith of good Workes of Repentance and in opinion about the Word the Church the Magistrate are of one iudgement They differ indeed from vs in the matter of the Sacrament and therein are in a grosse errour But that difference betweene them and vs doth not take away wholly the Analigie of Faith and Doctrine betweene vs for that there is a true and reall receiuing of the Bodie and Blood of Christ in the Lords Supper we all agree And we joyntly confesse that Christ is there present so farre forth that he doth truly feed vs with his very Body and Blood to Eternall life all the controuersie lyeth in the manner of receiuing wee acknowledging a Spirituall receiuing which is by the hand of Faith They adding thereto the Corporall whereby they imagine themselues to receiue Christ with the hand and mouth of the Bodie And though to maintaine this their opinion they be constrained to turne the ascension of Christ into a disparition whereby his Body being visible becommeth inuisible yet in the maine points wee agree that hee entred into his Kingdome in our name for vs that we are gouerned and preserued by his power might and that whatsoeuer good thing we haue or do proceedeth wholly from the grace of his Spirit wee pittie their errours and leaue their persons vnto God Againe Popish Transubstantiation and Lutheran Consubstantiation are both we confesse against the truth of the Manhood of Christ yet with great difference Transubstantiation is flat against an Article of Faith for if Christ his body be made of Bread and his blood of Wine which must needs be if there be a conuersion of the one into the other then was hee not borne of the Virgin Mary for it cannot bee both made of Bakers bread and also of the substance of the Virgin Againe it wholly abolisheth the outward Signe and the analogie betweene the signe and the thing signified and so ouerturneth the Sacrament But Consubstantiation doth not so Q. neither doth is ouerthrow the substance of any Article of Religion but onely a maine point of Phisosophie which is That a Body doth occupie onely one place at one time Therefore howsoeuer in this point there bee a great difference betweene the Lutherans and vs yet we may bee both of one Church Obiect 4 I come now to the 4. cauill and Obiection which our Aduersaries the Papists obiect against our former Catalogue of Protestants Popish disc of Faith ss 57 Admit say they that in former ages you can finde some that were your ancestors and the forerunners of your Faith Stapleton de Iustif lib. 9. c. 7 yet what manner of persons were they Such as were notorious Hereticks men branded with the marke of grosse and damnable Doctrines CampiaÌ„ rat 10. prodigious and hellish liues Reprobates condemned by Popes and generall Councels yea the very dregs and the bellowes and the Iewell of hell To this we answer 1. That it is no new thing for those who are most blamelesse to be slaundered with many false and vniust calumniations Blessed are yee saith our blessed Sauiour when men shall reuile you Math. 5.11.12 and persecute you shal say all manner of euill against you falsly for my sake Reioyce be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heauen Act. 2.13 16 20. 17.7 2. Cor. 12.16 for so prosecuted they the Prophets which were before you As
Tarracona marryed Bishops Cyprian an African borne in Carthage who although he had his grieuous errors yet was a worthie Builder of the House of God not by woâ—d alone but also by writing Augustine de Baptism contra Donat. lib. 5. cap. 17. In his Writings he agreeth with vs. Narcissus Bishop of Ierusalem a great enemie to Superstition Euseb lib. 9. cap. 6. Asclepiades Bishop of Antiochia of whom Alexander Bishop of Ierusalem being the prisoner of Christ in Caesarea wrote vnto the people in Antiochia That it was a comfort vnto him and it made his Imprisonment the more easie that he heard of the zeale and constancie of Asclepiades Euseb lib. 6. cap. 11. Babilas Bishop of Antiochia vpon whom albeit the Papists would father many of their superstitious deuises yet Eusebius who may bee best credited in this point sheweth his hatred of all Idolatrie and therefore no doubt likewise of such Idolatrous inuentions Euseb lib. 6. cap. 39. Betweene the yeares 200 and 250. TErtullian who albeit hee fell into the Erâ—or of Montanus and hold diuers other Errors yet where he was Orthodoxe stood most with vs Origen of whom the Prouerbe is Vbi bene nemo melius vbi â—ale nemâ—â— prius where hee writeth best is for vs as Polycrares Bishop of Antioch a marryed Bishop together with diuers other Bishops of Asia withstood Victor Bishop of Rome and opposed certaine Constitutions by him vrged about Obseruation of Dayos Meats Drinkes Vestures c. Eusib lib. 5. c. 26. Betweene the yeeres 150. and 200. POlycarpus Bishop of Smyrna who resisted Anicetus Bishop of Rome and withstood diuers Ceremonies then beginning to be set on foot Euseb lib. 5. cap. 26. This Polycarpus also wrote an Epistle to the Philippians wherein hee defendeth the same Doctrine of Iustification by Faith as we doe Iren. lib. 3. cap. 1. Irenaeus Bishop of Lyons in France who though hee was entangled with the error of the Chyliasts yet where he was Orthodoxe ioyned with vs and wrote in the name of his brethren of France vnto Victor Bishop of Rome reproouing him for offering to excommunicate the Churches of Asia who withstood his Traditions Euseb lib. 5. cap. 26. Melito Bishop of Sardis wrote an Apologie for the Christians to Antonius the Emperor Euseb lib. 4. c. 13. His consent together with vs about the Canonicall Scripture and the Apocriphae may be seene in his Epistle to Onesimus Melit Apolog. ad Onesim The Congregations at Lyons and Vienna in France how they accord with vs may be seene by the Epistle set forth in their name Extat Martyrol p. 40. Betweene the yeeres 100. and 150. IGnatius who in the persecution of Traian the Emperour was for the Christian Faith deliuered to wilde Beasts to be deuoured Euseb lib. 3. cap. 35 36. It is written of him That as hee passed through Asia being vnder the most strict custodie of his Garders hee strengthened and confirmed the people euerie where as hee went and admonished them especially and before other things to beware and shun Heresies and vaine Superstitions newly risen vp and that they should cleaue onely to the Writings of the Apostles c. Ex Hierom in Catal. Sanct. Eccl. Iustinus Martyr who wrote two bookes of Apologie for the Christians to the Emperour Antoninus Pius In the which and in his Dialogues hee testifieth the summe and substance of the doctrine and Religion of the Christians in those times wholy answering with ours now if wee compare them together Iustin Dialog cum Tryph. Apol. Quadratus Bishop of Athens Agrippus Castor Hegisippus and others Betweene the yeeres 50. and 100. SAint Iohn the Euangelist who for preaching the Gospell Euseb lib. 3. c. 10. was banished by Domitian into the I le Pathmos about the yeare 97. and after the death of the aforesaid Domitian was released againe vnder Pertinax the Emperour and came to Ephesus anno 100. where hee continued vntill the time of Traian and liued till the yeare after the passion of our Sauiour 99. How our doctrine doth agree with his may be seene if we examine it by his Writings S. Peter Simeon Bishop of Hierusalem Iacobus Iustus S. Paul Onesimus Bishop of Sardis Titus THE CHVRCHES OF Rome Corinth Galatia Philippi Colossos Thessalonica Crete Ephesus Pergamus Thyatyra Sardis Smyrna Philadelphia Laodicea Betweene the first yeere of our Sauiors Incarnation and the 50. after BEsides Iohn the Baptist old Simeon Hanna the daughter of Phanuel c. wee haue the Twelue Apostles SIMON PETER ANDREVV IAMES the sonne of Zebedee IOHN PHILIP BARTHOLOMEVV THOMAS MATTHIAS IAMES the sonne of Alpheus LEBBEVS whose surname was Thaddeus SIMON the Canaanite MATTHIAS chosen in the place of Judas Iscariot IESVS CHRIST HIMSELFE BEING THE HEAD CORNER STONE THat the Apostles taught the same Doctrine which wee embrace and those Churches before-mentioned vnto whom the Apostles wrote did follow the same Religion which wee professe may appeare if we compare our Doctrine and Religion with theirs which in stead of many others wee may behold in this briefe Table beneath specified THE DOCTRINE OF THE Apostles and profession of the Churches vnto whom they wrote Agreeing with vs PROTESTANTS Scripture sufficiencie IOhn 5.39 Iohn 20.31 Act. 17.10 Luk. 16.29 Eph. 2.20 2. Tim. 3.15 16 17. Scripture perspicuitie Matth. 7.7 Rom. 10.6 2. Cor 4.3 Scripture authoritie Iohn 5.34 36 39. Luk. 16.19 1. Ioh. 5.6 Sacraments Their number Math. 28.19 Mark 16.16 Joh. 3.5 Luk. 22.19 Their efficacie Rom. 1.17 1. Pet. 3.21 The fruits and effects of Baptisme Ioh. 5.14 Ephes 4.23 The Sacrament of the Lords Supper Artic. 31. 1. Cor. 10.11 1. Cor. 11.10 1. Cor. 10.16.17 Spirituall eating and drinking in the Sacrament 1. Cor. 10.3 1. Pet. 1.29 Communicating in both kinds Math. 26.26 Mark 14.22 1. Cor. 10.16 The true manner of Gods worship Tit. 1.5 Hebr. 13.7 1. Pet. 1.23 The danger of all sinne Rom. 4.15 1. Ioh. 3.4 Prayer To God alone Rom. 8.27 1. Cor. 1.16 Heb. 10.19 in a known tong 1. Cor. 14.15 The Church Jt is a congregation of the faithfull onely c. Ioh. 10.16 15.14 Eph. 5.23 True markes of the Church Act. 2.4 Eph. 2.10 Act. 5.8 Christ alone the head of the Church Eph. 1.22 4.16 Act. 4.11 1. Cor. 1.11 Ecclesiasticall discipline 1. Cor. 5.7 2. Thes 3.14 Tit. 3.10 Sanctification Jn true holines and newnesse of life Rom. 16.4 Luk. 1.75 Eph. 1.4 Philip. 1.12 Coloss 1.22 Faith An assured confidence Mark 5.7 2. Tim. 2.8 vpon knowledge Heb. 11.1 2. Cor. 13.5 only in the elect Ioh. 6.35 Repentance The gift of God Genes 8.21 Rom. 8.7 Necessarie Iam. 1.7 1. Tim. 2.21 Confession to God Math. 3.6 Good workes Must spring from Faith Rom. 8.8 Galat. 5.6 Tit. 1.15 Heb. 11.6 Are our dutie Matth 7.17 2. Pet. 1.10 Subiection to Powers Rom. 13.1 2 3. Tit. 3.1 1. Pet. 2.13 Disagreeing from the PAPISTS Traditions IOhn 4.22 23. 1. Timoth 4.1 2. Timoth. 3.1 Reuelat. 22.18 19. Slander of obscuritie
same Faith which wee professe by the Bohemians Waldenses c. alreadie hath beene made manifest But how long time is it I pray that the name Papist whereof of late they were ashamed and wherein they now so much glory was knowne or acknowledged in the world Act. 11.26 Optat. Mileuit lib. 2. cont Parm. or whence is it that leauing the auncient name of Christians they rather with the Donatists appropriate vnto themselues the name of Catholicks Doubtlesse howsoeuer they bragge and boast of Antiquity wee may apply that of Bildad vnto them They are but of yesterday Iob. 8.9 for how could a man know what it was to be a Papist or what was the body of Religion before the Councell of Trent had defined it Trent Councel concluded An. dom 1563. which was since Luthers time Let them shew where their Papall Supremacie was before the time of Pope Goodface the third or their Latine Seruice before the yere 680. Platina or their Romish Masse before Adrian the 1. Anno 780. Iacob de Vorag in vit Gregor Exposit Rom. ord ann 1215 1222. ex Act. Rom. Pontif. 1414. or their Agnus Dei before Pope Sergius an 700. or their Transubstantiation before the Councell of Lateran or their eleuation and adoration of the Sacrament before the time of Honorius the third or their eceiuing of the Communion in one kinde onely and the absolute forbidding of the contrary before the Councell of Constance Iohan. Scot. lib. 4. dist 17. artic 3. or their absolute necessity of Auricular Confession before Innocent the third Idem ibid. in his Councell of Lateran or the prohibition of Marriage to the Clergie before the same time I might instance in many other points of Poperie which howsoeuer they may carrie some shew and shadow of Antiquity yet being duly considered they will appeare to be but late inuentions peeced and patched together by their Popes as each of them in their succession was minded to adde something to make vp the full measure of the mysterie of Iniquity Neyther let them boast as of commonly they cracke of the ancient Church of Rome Rhom 〈◊〉 in Act. 1â— â— Idem in Eâ—â—â— 4.13 so famously renowned by the Writings of the Apostles and commended and appealed vnto by the auncient Fathers for the name and shew of the Romane Church See M. Fox his description of the diffâ—rence of the now Church of Rome and the old Actâ— and Monum first 26. pageâ— is but an emptie shew of Names and Titles this present Romane being in a manner wholly departed in the Questions controuerted from the auncient and retayneth nothing but the Title The true auncient and Apostolike Church of Rome so much commended by the Fathers and sought to by the World professed another kind of Faith then this doth and the same that we now defend against them That Church affected no such prowd and swelling Titles it vsurped no such transcendent Iurisdictions it obserued no such foolish Superstitions it maintained contrarie Doctrine to their now Errors To what purpose then should any sticke vpon the name of the Romane Church when the true Faith is changed Or what doe the Prerogatiues and Royalties of the auncient Church concerne this that is turned to another Religion Or who regardeth an House of stately Building or anticke memorie of auncient Antiquitie when the Plague hath infected it and Theeues possesse it Leaue therefore yee Romanists to cracke of your Antiquitie or to traduce vs of Noueltie wee may take vp the words of Nicephorus Concil Ephâ—â— sin pag. 307. the Patriarke of Constantinople in an Epistle to Leo Bishop of Rome Wee also haue the Name of Rome the â—diâ— and auncient Faith of Rome among vs being built vpon one and the same foundation of Faith in matter of Faith we follow them Wherefore let S. Paul glorie and reioice in vs also and ioyning new things with old and comparing vs in Doctrines and Preaching let him glorie in vs both alike for wee as well as they following the Doctrines and Institutions wherein wee are rooted are confirmed in the confession of our Faith wherein wee stand and reioyce c. As for you my poore seduced Countreymen who suffer your selues to be seduced and mis-led by these Popish Circumcellions take heed and beware how you fauour these Merchants of the Romish Strumpet who vnder fained pretences and subtile insinuations goe about to make merchandise of your soules 2. Pet. 2.5 These latter dayes saith the Apostle are perillous times and these Popish Priests and Iesuits I may say are perillous seducers 2. Tim. 3.1 6 7. They of this sort creepe into houses and lead captiue silly women laden with sinnes and led about with diuers Lusts euer learning and neuer able to come to the knowledge of the Truth Listen not vnto them It is not good for Eue to fall to conference with the Serpent Genes 3. no nor for Adam neyther to suffer Eue and the Serpents parley or to encline vnto them least hee also be partaker in the Transgression Consider what is the end they ayme at not Religion but the Soueraigntie of their high-towring Church not the Consciences of men yeelding to their Ceremonies and Superstitions will satisfie them vnlesse they haue their wills in ouer-ruling all and bringing them vnder their Antichristian Yoake How doe they disturbe Thrones and fill the World with Anarchie and Confusions and whose soules they should winne to God by ministring the Word and Sacraments their bloud they sacrifice to the Deuill by stirring them vp to Treason and Rebellion Beloued 1. Ioh. 4.1 beleeue not euery Spirit but trie the Spirits whether they be of God or no. A Foole saith Salomon beleeueth euery thing Prou. And surely it is their folly who suffer themselues to be seduced by giuing too easie credit to the slauering insinuations of these Popish Teachers and are hereby brought into a great dislike of our Church because they beleeue their words and doe not make search and enquirie after the truth of the same Beware least that dreadfull iudgement of God fall vpon you 2. Thess 2 10 11. Because they receiued not the knowledge of the Truth that they might be saued therefore God shall send them strong delusions that they should beleeue lyes You will say That you are no Changelings That yee are of the olde Religion That you keepe the olde Faith and will liue and dye in the same Religion which your fore-fathers professed Poore soules Popish Religion is not the oldest Religion but a late vpstart a Modell of Superstition your Popes Catholike Church is but an Impostume growne in the Church Wee confesse that for a long time the Christian World hath beene annoyed with it yet euen in the time and before the time of this declining from the Truth our Faith and Religion hath euer kept it selfe vnspotted The true cause why during the former ouer-clouding times of Poperie the Exercises
Popish religion about the yeare of our Lord 1516 by occasion of his looking into first the Pardons and Indulgences which Pope Leo the tenth set to sale in Germany by Frier Tecellius and afterwards by p ying into other stuffe of Popish superstitions so that the time of hiâ— separation from the Church of Rome must be reckoned to be about the yere of our Lord 1516 or 1517. King Henry the eight shoke off the Popish yoake about the 25 yeare of his reignâ— viz. Chronic. Angâ—â—â— in vita Hâ—â—â— 8. Statut. ann regâ—â— 25. Acts and Monum p. 963. Anno Domini 1534 Before which time he wrote against Luther and was an earnest defender of the Papacy Before either of these two times and whilst both Henry the eight and Luther were Papists wee can produce professâ—rs of ou Religion betweene the yeare of our Lord 1500 and 1516. In England Doctors and learned men D. Iohn Colet Deane of Paules who was a great labourer for reformation in the Church and in his Sermons bitterly inueighed against inhibition of Priests marâ—age pilgrimages and diuâ—rs other abuses in the popish Church for which hee was much persecuted by Richard Fitz-Iames Bishop of London Paâ—et ex Registr Fitz. Erasm ep ad Iodoc. Ion. Gulielmus Lillius Gulielm Grocinus Gulielm Latimer Thomas Lynacre Whole Congregations persecuted for it In the Diocesse of Lincolne to the number of 437 persons Martyrol p. 751 752. c. In London 68 persons p. 734. 745. Martyrs put to death for it VVill Sweeting Iohn Brewster Iohn Browne Iokime Norman Iohn Stileman Thomas Man Robert Cosin Christop Shoâ—â—â—â—â—â—â— Robert Rane Iohn Scriuener In France Doctors and learned men Iacobus Pauanus Iohannes de Cadurco Laurentius Crucens Patet ex Crisp pantal Congregations Whole villages of them in the tract where the Alpes are ioyned with the Pyrenies Pâ—ir de Soau in hist Concil Trident. p. 3. Whole villages about Merindol and the Country of Prouence Martyrol p. 859. Martyrs Dionysius de Reaux Iacobus Pauanus Bartholomaeus Millen Henricus Poile Iohannes Chastellanus In Germany Doctors and learned men Leo Iuda Iohannes Oxlinus Vldericus Zuinglius Congregations Tigurines Bernates Lucernates Suicenses Vnderualii Basilienses Martyrol p. 791. Martyrs Petrus Spengler Wolgangus Schurch Leonardus Heilar Wendelmuta Vidua In Bohemia There were diuers about this time professing the Protestants religion who were by the Papists tearmed Pycards Calystini and Subutraques Pier de Soau in his Historie of the Trent Councill p. 3. Before this time and before Luther was borne there were professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares of our Lord 1450 and 1500. In England REynold Peacocke Bishop of Chichester who publikely preached against the Pope Fryers transubstantiation and the whole leauen of popery Thomas Gasgorgu lib. de dict Theol. p. 3. Martyrs William Tilsworth Thomas Barnard Iames Mordon Lawrence Ghâ—st Babram Ieane Boughton Mother to the Lady Young Acts and Monum in regn Henric. 7. Persecuted for the same Iohn Blomeston Richard Hegham Robert Crowther Iohn Smith Roger Browne Thomas Butler Iohn Falkes Richard Hilmin Margery Goit With diuers others in Kent Couentrie and London ibid. p. 713. 714. In France Philippus Comineas a French Historiagrapher who spared not to reproue the vices in Popery and to extol those who opposed the same Martyrol p. 672. Iohannes Selestadiensis Vide eius Epist ad Maximil Imper. contra Ponâ—ificios Antonius Mancinellus who wrote an eloquent oration against the filthie lâ—fe and wicked manners of the Pope and his Clergy and for that cause had his tongue and hands cut off by the commandement of the Pope Marâ—yrol p. 674. Charles the eâ—gh was at often defiance with the Pope Ibid. p. 675. In Germany The Germanes in generall exhibited their complaints against the Pope to the Emperor Maximilian Martyrol p. 672. Rodulphus Agriâ—â—la Pontanus Philippus Bâ—roaldus Georgius Valla. Iohannes Ostendorpius Doctor Keiserspâ—rgius Doctor Andreas Proles Ex Luc. Ostand lib. 1. c. 8. VVeselus Groningensis wrote against popish penance indulgences purgatory workes of supererrogation abuses of the Masse prayers for the dead vowes precepts of the Pope and Prelates c. Hee was a man so famous and notable for his great learning and good life that hee was commonly called Lux mundi The light of the world Ex Noviomag Martyrol p. 670. In Bohemia Georgius Pogiebrachius Gouernor of that Kingdome vnder the young King Ladislaus Rochezana and diuers other Preachers more of whose conformity with vs in Religion and separation from the Church of Rome wee may reade Cocl lib. de Hus Martyrol p. 662. Item ex Aene. Sylv. in Histor Bohem. In Italy Iohannes Baptista Maâ—â—uanus Angelus Politianus Hermolaus Barbarus Iohannes Picus Mirandula This Picus Earle of Mirandula being but a young man went to Rome and there set vp 90 conclusions to be disputed on of which diuers were about the Sacrament Iustification c. quite contrary to the tenent of the Church of Rome for which hee was persecuted by the Pope and his Clergy Luc. Osiand lib. 1. c. 8. Martyrol p. 740. Hieronimus Sananorola an Italian Monke sorely inueighed against the corruption in Popery maintained iustification by faith that the communion ought to bee administred in both kinds that indulgences and pardons of the Pope were of no effect against auricular confession and the Popes Supremacy so which cause he with two more who taught and preached the same together with him were hanged at Florence and afterwards burnt to ashes Illiric Catal. test Martyrol pag. 450. Before that time there are to be found professors oâ— the Protestant Religion betweene the yeares 1400 1450. In England THe name of Lollards about this time was commonly knowne in England That they and wee doe agree in the substance of our Religion may appeare ex descript sect Lollard William Bishop of Norwich complaineth how the number of them did here encrease Martyrol pag. 609. Martyrs Rich. Houerden Iohn Goose Paul Craw. William Woite Iohn Claidon Richard Tuâ—ning Sr Iohn Oldcastle Lord Cobham Persecuted and put to penance for that profession Iohn Burrell Thomas Moone Iohn Finch Nicholas Belward Thomas Grimar Iohn Beuerley Thomas Pye Iohn Mendham Robert Shiruing Iohn Terrio Iohn Aberee Iohn Middleton Iohn Waid Richard Clerke Robert Beet Richard Page Iohn Warden Iohn Kinget Thomas Albeck William Bates Hugh Pie Iohn Parker Iohn Skilly Iohn Cooper Bartholmew Thatcher Thomas Iames. Alane Andrew William VVright Richard Fletcher VVill. Osbourne Robert Briggs VVilliam Marsh Iohn Goodwiâ— Henry Bood Richard Horne Iohn Spire Richard King with diuers others as wee may finde them named and recorded Mar. yrolog pag. 608. In France Thomas Redonensis a Frenchman by birth came into Italy about the yeare 1433 and there seeing the corruptions of the Church of Rome inueighed exceedingly against the same preaching that the Church did lack reformation that the Popes excommunication is not to bee feared and diuers things to the like effect for which he was persecuted
lawfull 6 That S. Peter was neuer at Rome 7 That the Clergie of Rome is a den of theeues 8 That the Popes doctrine leadeth to eternall damnation Defens pac Aligerius Andreas de Castro Iohannes Rochetaylada Henrici de Erford nameth him Haybalus preached openly that the Church of Rome was the whore of Babylon and the Pope with his Cardinals to bee the very Antichrist And being for the same brought before the Popes face constantly did perseuere in the same saying that hee was commanded by God to publish the same Froysard Volum 1. chap. 211. Martyrol pag. 360. Before that time there may bee seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1250 1300. In England PEter the sonne of Cassiodore wrote a zealous Epistle to the Church of England dehorting it from the tyranny of the Church of Rome Ex vetust Chron. Alban extat Martyrol 323. The Popes inhibition was despised in England Anno Domini 1294. Diuers also about this time were accused here in England for adhering to the opinion of the Waldenses Turris Lond. in record reconcil inter regem Baron In Germany Gulielmus Altissiodoreusis an ancient Schoolman in whose summes many points of popish doctrine are strongly opposed and confuted Naucler vol. 2. Gen. 45. Iohannes Semeca Prouost of Halberstat was about this time excommunicated and depriued of his office for resisting Pope Clement the fourth gathering certain exactions in Germanie who therefore appealed from the Pope to a generall Councell and had many great fauourers of his side Martyrol pag. 287. In France Gulielmus de S. Amore Master in Paris and chiefe ruler in that Vniuersitie hee wrote a booke de periculis Ecclesia wherein he maintaineth 39 conclusions against the Papists but especially against the Friers Magdeb. cent 13. c. 5. Robertus Gallut borne of a Noble parentage about the yeare 1290 wrote diuers prophesies against the Pope church of Rome in a booke of visions In the first Chap. whereof hee painteth forth the Pope like an Idol In the twelfth Chapter like a Serpent In the thirteenth he resembleth the state of the Church of Rome to a body whose head is dry leane and withered like a logge of wood In another place hee compareth the Schoole-men in their subtill questions and distinctions to a man who hauing fine Manchet bread and pure Wine set before him doth notwithstanding chuse rather to gnaw vpon an hard and flinty stone Martyrol pag. 292. In Italy Petrus Iohannes a Minorite about the yeare 1290 taught and maintained many things against the Pope prouing that he was Antichrist and the Synagogue of Rome the great whore of Babylon Nichol. Emer in lib. inquisit In Spaine Arnoldus de Villa noua a Spaniard by birth about the yeare 1252 was by the Pope condemned for an Hereticke because hee wrote against the corruptions of the Romish Church his preaching was to this effect First that the Pope and his Clergie seduce the world like Satan from the truth of Christ Secondly Faith as the Papists require it is no better then the Deuils faith Thirdly that the Pope leadeth men to Hell Fourthly that Cloisterers are void of charitie Fiftly that Masses are not to be celebrated and that they ought not to sacrifice for the dead with many other propositions to the like effect Magdeb. cent 13. c. 5. Hosiad cent 13. c. 10. Before that time there may be seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1200 and 1250 In England RObert Grosthead Bishop of Lincolne a man of great learning and godlinesse who liued in the daies of Pope Innocentius the fourth and constantly resisted his vnlawfull demands as by name the inuesting of a young Italian boy whom the Pope had recommended vnto him to be admitted into the next vacant Prebend in his Diocesse for his sharp preprouing the Pope of Rome and powerful preaching against the corruptions in that Sea hee was commonly called Malleus Romanorum The Hammer of the Romanes for his courage and doctrine the Pope was much incensed against him and sware that he would hurle him downe to such a confusion that he should be made a gazing stocke to all the world notwithstanding all which this good Bishop died peaceably And when as after his death the Pope would haue cast his bones out of Christian buriall in the night following the said Bishop seemed in a vision to appeare before him and smiting him with his Crozier-staffe on his right side with a sterne looke and terrible voice to say vnto him O thou scurâ—â—ie lazy bald doting Pope hast thou purposed to cast my bones out of 〈◊〉 Church God will not suffer thee to preuaile wâ—â— to thee that despisest for thou shalt be despised And so seeming to depart the Pope was found the next morning in a manner halfe dead Math. Paris Martyrol p. 295 296. In France Laurentius Anglicus an Englishman borne but Student in Paris of prime esteeme in that Vniuersity wrote against the Pope affirming that in him and his Prelates Antichrist was already come Martyrol p. 292. Almaricus a Doctor of Paris was burnt for withstanding altars images inuocation of Saints transubstantiation Car. Chron. 1202. In Sweden About the yeare of our Lord 1240 there were in Sweden many Preachers who in their Sermons inueyed against the Pope affirming the Pope and his Bishops to bee hereticks and Symoniacks and that popish priests were meere seducers that the Popes curse was not to bee dreaded and his indulgences were meere fopperies Ex Chronic. Abbat Vsperg Crantz lib. 8. c. 10. In Germany Frederick the second resisted the Popes vsurpations exiled his authoritie out of Germany and fought against him prosperously Mat. Paris p. 71. Sygefridus Seginoburgensis Rudicenus Rhachenicensis Conradus Frisingensis Bishops of Boiora ioyne with the Emperour against the Pope Auent lib. 5. Euarardus Iuuanensis an Archbishop in Germany spake thus of the Pope in an Assembly of Bishops at Regenspurg He vnder the colour of religion layeth the foundatioÌ„ of the kingdome of Antichrist These priests of Babylon will reigne alone they can endure no equall they will neuer rest vntill they haue trampled all things vnder their feet he sitteth in the Temple of God and is exalted aboue all that is worshipped Thus doth that child of perdition whom they vse to call Antichrist in whose forehead is written the name of blasphemy I am a god and cannot erre Auent lib. 7. p. 546. Before that time there may be seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1150 and 1200. In England GErhardus and Dulcinus Nauarrensis about this time preached against the Church of Rome defending and maintaining first That prayer was not more holy in one place then another secondly That the Pope was Antichrist and Rome the very Whoore of Babylon prefigured in the Apocalyps These two about the yeare 1158 brought 30 other of their own opinion with them ouer into England who by the commandement of the King
Prelates were burnt in the forehead so driuen out of the Realm Rob. Gisburn Illiricus saith they were afterwards slaine by the Pope Illâ—r Catol Martyrol p. 83. In France The Waldenses or Pauperes de Lugdâ—â—â— so called from one Waldus a man of great substance in the City of Lyons who about the yeare 1160 taking occasion by the sudden death of one with whom hee was walking beganne with a carefull studie to reforme his life and to this end studied the Scriptures diligently and taught the true knowledge of Gods word to as many as resorted vnto him In short space the number of those who ioyned with him came to thousands who were dispersed abroad into diuers parts of the world These were miserably persecuted by the Pope and his faction Hist de Waldeâ—s Raymund Earle of Tholouse for taking part with them was wrongfully vexed and disinherited by the Pope Mat. Paris In France The Religion of the Waldenses 1 They held that the Pope is not greater then another Bishop 2 That there is no purgatory 3 That it is in vaine to pray for the dead 4 That Masses for the dead are the inuentions of couetous priests 5 That images hallowing of waters and other creatures are superstitious 6 That the word of God should be truly preached vnto all men 7 That Fryers shrift and the vse of the oile in Baptisme are the inuentions of men 8 They contemned the Masse all that appertained to it 9 They misliked the single life of votaries and the distinction of daies and meats 10 They defended the reading of Scripture by the Laitie 11 They had but two sacraments 12 That the Communion should be administred in both kinds Nauc vol. 2. g. 900. Hildebertus Archbishop of Tours about this time taxed the pride of the Pope and being an excellent Poet made this distich of Rome Vrbs foelix si vel dominis vrbs illa careret Vel dominis esset turpe carere fide Happy would this City be If wanting lords her selfe were free Or hauing Lords in dignitie These wanted not true honesty In Germany Fredericke Barbarossa the Emperour about the yeare 1150 opposed himselfe against the Pope forbidding appeales to Rome the comming of Legates from thence into Germany and other trickes of the papall pride A great part of Germanie tooke part with him Nancl. vol. 2. p. 836. gen 39. In Constantinople About this time Anselme Bishop of Haremburg being sent from Lotharius to Calo Iohannes Emperor of ConstaÌ„tinople among other things he disputed much of the supremacy of the Romane Bishop Nichetes Bishop of Nicodemia excellently contested against him and confuted his arguments maintaining that the pride of the Romish Church was the cause of so many schismes and heresies which were then abroad in the world Ext. in Nancl. vol. 2. p. 900 in Patr. Symps hist of the Church p. 433. Before that time there may bee seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeeres 1100. and 1150. In England THeobald Archbishop of Canterbury with the Prelates of England in a Councell held at London anno 16. Regni Stephani regis decreed that Bishops should liue more discreetly that Priests should not bee Rulers ouer worldly matters that they should teach their flockes more diligently and that the people should read the Scriptures and learne the Lords Prayer the Creed in English Malsmb Chron. King Henry the first and his Nobles were euen at the point to forsake the Romish Church Patet ex Epist Anselm ad Pascal Pap. Martyrol pag. 177. Lincolniensis gaue this description of a Frier A Frier is a dead Carkasse risen out of his Graue wrap'd in a winding-sheet and carried among men by the Diuell Wichleis in Trialog lib. 4. cap. 26. pag. 143. In Almaine HIldegard a Nunne and a Prophetesse liuing about the yeere 1146. most bitterly reprehended the abhominable life of the Pope and his Clergie inueighing against the greedie subtill proceeding of Friers denouncing woe vnto those who suffer themselues to be seduced by them and foretelling the horrible destruction of the Church of Rome Histor Iornal Martyrol p. 182. 237. In France BErnard Abbot of Châ—xâ—â—val born in Burgundy liued about this time who although liuing in a most corrupt age hee was exceeding superstitious in some points yet freely reproued diuers corruptions then comming on hee is cleare with vs against the conceipt of the Virgin Maries Conception free from sinne as appeareth Ex Epist 179. ad Cam. Lugdon Against Merites Ser. 1. de Annunciat Against Iustification by workes Serm. 22. in Cantic Against Free will Lib. de Grana lib. Arb. Against the seuenfold number of Sacraments Ser. 1. de coen Dâ—m Against the vncertaintie of Saluation Epist 107. Against the Popes Greatnesse in Temporalities Lib. 2. consid ad Eugen Also hee admonished Count Theobald who bestowed great matters in building of Abbies and Churches that he should rather support them which are of the houshold of Faith and bee carefull to build the euerlasting Tabernacle Epist 107. In Flanders ABout this time was one burnt in Antwerp for Preaching against the reall presence in the Sacrament Massan Chron. lib. 16. anno 1124. In Germanie HEnry the fifth Emperor against Paschalis then Pope maintayned his owne right of making Bishops and other Priuiledges that belonged to his Ancestors which the Pope vsurped Nauder vol. 2. p. 807. Segon anno 1111. In Italie Arnulphus an eloquent Preacher came to Rome about this time and in his Preaching reproues the vicious life of the Popish Clergie hee is supposed to bee the Author of the Booke called Opus Tripartitum which containeth a great complaint of the enormities and abuses in the Church of the number of their Holidayes of the curious singing in Cathedrall Churches of the rabble of begging Friers of the vnchast voluptuous behauiour of Churchmen and finally wisheth reformation to begin at the Sanctuary for the which the hatred of the Pope and his Clergie was so much incensed against him that they layd priuie wait for him tooke him and drowned him Martyrol pag. 181. Sabellius and Platina say they hanged him Platin. in vit Honor. 2. Before that time there may bee seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1050. and 1100. In England ABout this time saith Mathew Paris The King of England fauored not much the See of Rome because of their impudent and vnsatiable exactions neither would he suffer any of his Subiects to goe to Rome alledging these wordes in the Author thus expressed Quod Petri non inhaerent vestigijs praemijs inhiantes non eius potestatem retinent cuius sanctitatem probantur non imitari Math. Paris In France BErengarius Archdeacon of Angeow about the yeare 1060. withstood the Doctrine of Transubstantiation newly hatched in the Councell of Lateran And although by the violence of the Pope and his Clergie hee was driuen to recantation yet after his Death many adhered to his opinion Malsmb In Germanie
one Parish called Cammach Reyner resp there were tenne open Schooles of them And whereas they are taxed by Aeneus Siluius to sauour of an Anabastinill communitie that they had all things common among them Martyrol 209. This is a malicious slander of a papall Parasite Indeed because they being thrust forth both of Countrie and goods and compelled to make the best shift as they could for themselues they did not intend their owne priuate commoditie but euery one did helpe each other to the vtmost of his power the most part of them being made through the Tyrannie of their persecutors very poore and hence they were called Pauperes de Lugouno Or the poore men of Lyons Their Doctrine howsoeuer the Papists after their vsuall manner mis-report of it and speake worse of it then it is yet cannot be brought by them within the compasse of Heresie or be confuted by the Word of God The Booke of Inquisition doth thus describe them and their manners Ex Inquisitorio quodam libello de moribus consuetudine Waldens The manner of the Waldensis is this They kneeling vpon their knees doe continue in their prayers with silence so long as a man may say thirtie or fortie Pater-nosters And this they doe euery day with great reuerence being among themselues and such as be of their owne Religion both before Meales and after likewise when they goe to bed and in the morning when they rise and at certaine other times also as well in the Day as in the Night Also they haue and vse the seuen Articles of Faith concerning the Diuinitie and seuen Articles concerning the Humanitie and the ten Commandements and seuen workes of Mercie which they haue compyled together in a compendious Booke glorying much in the same and thereby offer themselues readie to answere any man for their Faith Before they goe to meat they haue this Grace Benedicite Kyrie eleyson Christe eleyson Kyrie eleyson Pater-noster Whiâ—h being said then the elder amongst them beginneth thus in their owne Tongue God which blessed the fiue Barley Loaues and two Fishes in the Desart before his Disciples blesse this Table and that which is or shall be set vpon it In the Name of the Father of the Sonne and the Holy Ghost Amen And likewise when they rise from meat the Senior giueth thankes saying the words of the Apocalypse Blessing and Worship and Wisdome and Thanks-giuing Honor Vertue and Strength to God alone for euermore Amen And addeth moreouer God reward them in their Bosomes and be beneficiall to all them that be beneficiall to vs and blesse vs And the God which hath giuen vs Corporall Feeding graunt vs Spirituall Life and God be with vs and wee alwayes with him To which they all answere Amen And thus saying Grace they hold their hands vpward looking vp to Heauen After their Meat and Grace thus said they teach and exhort among themselues conferring together vpon their Doctrine c. Hitherto the Booke of Inquisition made against them doth testifie of them Let vs adde hereto the Testimonie of Reynerus their professed Enemie who when hee had said all that he could in deprauing and impugning them yet is driuen to confesse this of them Reyner Hist de Waldens Ex Orthuin Gratian. This Sect of Lyonests so hee calleth them of the place where-hence first they sprang hath great shew of Pietie liuing vprightly before men and beleeuing all things aright concerning God and all the Articles of the Creed onely they hate and blaspheme the Church of Rome c. Thus farre by way of Apologie for the Waldenses The like Apologie I might make for all the rest of those famous Worthies which together with vs long before our dayes or the dayes of Martin Luther haue professed the same Religion which wee now professe But because these before-mentioned are the parties against whom our Aduersaries the Papists especially doe except and whatsoeuer else they doe or can alleadge against any other particulars are the same things which haue beene answered vnto the former exceptions I will surcease from further Apologies especially seeing that I labour to be briefe This which this way hath beene spoken may suffice to cleare these Auncients of our Religion whom wee haue alreadie prooued to haue beene of the same Faith and Religion which wee now hold and the Papists themselues call the fore-runners of our Faith from those slanderous Calumniations which they asperse vpon them and to prooue them such famous and worthie Instruments of Gods glorie that wee need not be ashamed to follow them in that holy way which they haue gone before vs. Hauing now cleared the way and traced the footsteps of our Protestant predecessors backward from the dayes of Martin Luther vnto the very time when Poperie that great Mysterie of Iniquitie began to display it selfe in her colours from the time of King Henry the eight vnto the dayes of Phocas the Emperour for the space well-nigh of a thousand yeeres I now returne againe to prosecute this Catalogue and to shew a farre higher ascent of the same from the time when Poperie was set on foot vnto the dayes of the Apostles and the time in which our blessed Sauiour did manifest himselfe in the flesh Which labour albeit it might well be spared for as much as the Controuersie being betweene vs and the Papists Which of the two Churches is the most auncientest wee hauing alreadie shewed the continuance of our Church euen from the time when first their Church if wee may call that a Church which they haue turned into a Court began wee haue done alreadie to stop their mouthes and to free our selues from that imputation of Noueltie which they obiect against vs Yet for the more ample manifesting of the Point now in Controuersie and wholly to stop the mouth of the Aduersarie that it may appeare that our Religion is yet of farre greater Antiquitie a farther demonstration shall be made wherein it shall appeare that our Religion that which is now professed by the Protestant Churches is that same Religion which was taught by Christ and his Apostles professed and maintained by all the Orthodoxe ancient Fathers Martyrs and Confessors that liued in and since the Primitiue Church to the time that Poperie was first hatched out of his Cockatrice Egge Which to make plaine wee must by the way take notice That in the first six hundred yeeres there was no substantiall or fundamentall Innouation receiued in the Church the present Romane Faith touching the Points controuerted betweene them and vs being as yet eyther vnhatched or not receiued by knowne Heretikes 2. Thess 2.7 Onely the Mysterie of Iniquitie that began to worke in the Apostles time Euscb Hist lib. 3. cap. 32. lib. 4. cap. 23. encreased by the Heresie Ignorance and Superstition of some that dayly corrupted the Truth Stories remember vs of a saying of Hegesippus Niceph. lib. 4. cap. 7. That the Church continued a Virgin vndefiled
Rom. 15.4 1. Thess 5.20 2. Pet. 1.19 Authoritie of the Church Act. 2.42 19 20. Ephes 5.24 Sacraments Their seauen-fold number 1. Cor. 11.23 Reue. 22.18 Their opus operatum Eph. 4.5 Their whole taking away sinne Rom. 7.7 8. 1. Ioh. 1.8 Their sacrifice of the Masse Heb. 7.24 9.15 10.10 Reall presence Ioh. 6.35 Act. 3.21 1. Cor. 11.37 Keeping backe the cup from the lay people 1. Cor. 11.33 34. Will-worship Coloss 2.18 20 23. Math. 15.9 Veniall sinnes Rom. 6.23 Iames 1.15 Prayer To Saints Angels Rom. 10.14 Col. 2.18 In an vnknown tongue 1. Cor. 14.16 The Church A promiscuous company Eph. 5.25 26. 1. Ioh. 2.19 False markes Math. 24.23 Popish monarchie 2. Thess 2.4 6 7. Reuel 13.8 Popish Hierarchy pardons and suspensions Act. 11.28 2. Cor. 10.4 Sanctification Jn obseruation of dayes and meates Coloss 2.16 Rom. 14.14 Faith A beliefe in generall Rom. 10.14 Jmplicite Iam. 2.19 in hereticks and wicked men 2. Thess 3.2 Repentance Free will 1. Cor. 2.14 Coloss 2.13 Meritorious Rom. 4.5 6. Auricular confession Luk. 5.21 Places after this life Only two Heauen and Hell Reuel 14.13 22.13 Good workes Before Iustification Matth. 12.33 Luk. 6.43 Rom. 11.17 Merit of them Rom. 5.12 Galat. 3.11 Heb. 11.17 Exemption from obedience 1. Tim. 2.1 2. Iude 1. Purgatorie Luk. 23.43 2. Cor. 12.3 4. I Might instance in many more yea in all the differences betweene vs and the Papists wherein I might as clearely prooue the consent of the Apostles and those Primitiue Christians together with vs and their dissent from the Papists and consequently prooue effâ—ctually our Church to haue beene in that ancient Primitiue Church But these proofes may suffice in stead of many and by these wee may learne what wee are to iudge of the rest referring the tryall of our whole Religion in all and euerie point thereof wherein wee differ from the Papists vnto the touchstone of the doctrine of our Sauiour Christ and his Apostles and to that which in the writings of sacred Scriptures is commended vnto the Churches which indeede is the onely true rule to examine by and to end Controuersies But our Romanists will none of that for they cannot endure their Religion to come vnder this tryall of Gods word neither will it content them that wee make triall thereby See the Fisher caught in his owne Net which was the reason that Fisher in the late conference neither could denie that Christ and his Apostles taught the same faith and doctrine which the Protestants now professe nor would abide the triall by it but fled from that to the practise of ensuing times and more remote Canus loc li. 3. c. 3. p. 151. for Canus a Writer of their owne confesseth That the most points of the Roman faith are not contained in the Scripture Andrad Orth. Exp. lib. 2. And Andradius speaketh plainely That many points of the now Romish faith would reele and totter if they were not supported by the helpe of Tradition Therefore our Masse Priests will not endure the resolution of the now depending controuersies between vs and them should be tried by the authority of the Scriptures Take from them saith Standish their English damnable translations Standish ca. 6. pro. â— and let thâ—m learne to giue as much credit to that which is not expressed as to that which is expressed in the Scripture Brist Mot. vlt. And Bristo teaching his Scholler how to deale with a Protestant biddeth him First get the weake and proud heretick out of his weake and false Castle of onely Scripture into the plaine field of Traditions and then like cowards they shall not be able to stand Alas what small foundation hath that Religion of theirs which is onely supported by Traditions what comfort can there be in that Religion which is afraid to be tried by the Scripture Hitherto I haue shewed the ascent of the Protestants Church from before Luthers dayes euen to the time of our Sauiour Iesus Christ his Apostles and found our Church which the Papists traduce as a Nouice euen in the primitiue Church our Religion which they taxe as a new Religion to be the first Religion Christian I could now deriue it from an higher straine and shew it in a more auncient time before Christ was manifested in the flesh euen in the daies of the Prophets whose agreement with vs and disagreeing from the Papists I might euidently conuince out of their Writings Before them in the time of Moses and vnder the Law Before the Law in the Patriarchs Before them and before the Flood in Noah Enoch Abel and so bring it to the very beginning euen to the time of Adam But this would be a needlesse labour for if we proue as already hath beene proued That our Church hath beene as auncient as the time of Christ and his Apostles the other must needes follow That it is as auncient as Adams time and from the beginning Cantic 6.9 Ephes 4. Because the Church of Christ is but one and there is but one Faith one Lord one Baptisme The Fathers before the Law 1. Cor. 10.3 4. and those who liued vnder the Law though they and we differ in some outward Rites and Ceremonies 1. Cor. 3.11 yet for substance embrace one and the same Religion haue one and the same Truth one and the same Foundation Eph. 4.11 That Church which was founded vpon the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles Iesus Christ himselfe being the head corner stone euer was from the beginning shall euer be to the end of the world Such is ours and such is our Religion Therefore we conclude That our Church and our Religion is no vpstart but the true Church of Christ the ancientest and only Orthodox Religion And now O ye seducing Papists ye Iesuiticall Fry and Seminarie Frogs which are crept vp out of the mouth of the false Prophet and sculk abroad to seduce people what haue you to say for your selues with what face can you impute nouelty to vs Reu. 16.14 15. how dare ye buzze into the eares of your Proselites That our Religion was neuer heard of vntill Luthers dayes peraduenture you take your ayme at this because the name of Protestants came in neere about that time The name indeede arose vpon occasion of a Protestation made by the 14. principall Cities and diuers Princes of Germany at the Dyet of Noremberg appealing from the Pope vnto the Emperour Ioh. Sleid. lib. 3. Hist of the Trent Councel lib. 1. p. 48. and to a generall Councell in which protestation was contained a declaration of their faith and of those grieuances which they had against the Church of Rome for which by their aduersaries they were termed Protestants Now wee although wee are not ashamed of that name yet stand not so much vpon the name glorying in no name so much as in the name of Christians And that such protestations were made such declarations of the