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
A CONSIDERATION OF the Papists Reasons of State and Religion for toleration of Poperie in England INTIMATED IN THEIR Supplication vnto the Kings Maiestie the States of the Present Parliament Mich. 7.10 Shee that is mine enemie shall looke vpon it and shame shall cover her which said vnto me VVhere is the Lord thy GOD Mine eies shall beholde her now shall shee bee TRODEN DOVVNE as the mire in the streetes AT OXFORD Printed by JOSEPH BARNES and are to bee sold in Paules Church-yarde at the signe of the Crowne by Simon VVaterson 1604. To the Christian Reader AS I haue professed heeretofore in my Treatise against the Papists first Petition so heere again I protest that this fourth Supplication beeing directed vnto his Maiestie I haue not presumed to Answer any thing at all thervnto because I know his Highnes Christian heroicall Spirit is only worthy to giue Answer in this case Notwithstanding seeing the impudencie of the Petitioners is so intolerable that in so flourishing an age vnto so learned a Prince they dare exhibite their idle fancies and vaine toies being vtterly devoide of better Arguments which they haue scraped out of the often-refuted writings of their owne Sophisters and couched togither without forme or methode I haue bin once againe imboldened to consider of their Reasons which I hope I haue proved in sufficient to force such a CoÌ„clusion as should bee the overthrowe of our Christian Church and State of the Gospell his excellent Maiestie I confesse my paines heerein might well haue bin spared and indeed had I known so much in time I would not haue made this parénthesis in my Studies considering that a thrice-learned reverend Father of our Church M. Doctor Sutcliffe the worthy Deane of Exceter hath even already as the report goeth although I haue not yet seene his Booke amated these importunate shamelesse Petitioners made them as mute as a fish not daring to exspect any other ANSVVERE in reason at his Maiesties handes but Le Roy ne le veu't pas yet forasmuch as diverse books being written in diverse methods of the same argument or subiect are not vnprofitable I haue bin bold not to suppresse what I had done already committing the suâ—cesse vnto Almightie GOD and my selfe herein vnto the Censure of the learned who I presume can not but iudge Christianly and charitably of my good meaning and endevour to promote the common cause against the common adversarie Farewell Oxford from St. Marie Hall 13. of Aprill 1604. Thine ever in the Lord Gabriel Powel THE PAPISTES SVPPLIcation vnto the Kings most excellent Maiestie c. Most high and mightie Prince and our deerestly beloued Soveraigne a How can Papists without blushing acknowledge his Maiesties title vnto the Crown of England to be DIRECT seing they haue heretofore by tooth naile most indirectly moâ—t vniustly oppugned the same Which traiterous Parsons confesseth albe it for excuse he assureth himselfe that whatsoever hath bin said writen or done by any Catholike against his Maiesty which with some others mâ—ght breede disgust hath beene directed to the end for sooth to make his Maiestie nrst a Cathoâ—ike and then our King as if treason â—â—â—ed treacherie against his Highnesse could make him a Catholike or the denying and impugning of his direct and iust title tended to make him our King Rob. Pars in his Treat of three Convers in the Dedicat. Addition to the Catholikes SO many causes concurre wheresoever we turne our thoughts and these most great of reioycing as we know not with which wee should begin the count nor on which to ground our chiefest ioy Your Maiesties direct tide to the Imperiall Crowne of the Reasme both by lineall descent and prioritie of blood your Highnesse most quiet accesse to the same Gods onâ—y worke aboue the expectation of man do as by most right they should exceedingly pâ—ssesse and englad our harts Also the thrice fortunate vniting of the two Kingdomes which not seldome in former times haue bin much infestuous one to the other and this after so sweete a meane as by rightful deuolution of both Scepters to the immediate issue of either Nation cannot but in semblable proportion multiplie and advaunce our ioyes nor can we any way doubt but that thest egth of the Monarchy now in de inuincible by the vnion will ever be most able to preserue these our ioyes vnto vs and make them perpeâ—ual either kingdome being such a fortres and countermure to other and both so abounding with men and shipping as no forraine enemie howe potent soever vnlesse he fiâ—st be wearie of his owne forâ—unes dare ever adventure to offend or picke quarrell vnto Likewise the hope and strongest affiance which your Maiesties raigne over both nations yeelds of reducing the bordurers of either Countrey to Christian order of turning to coÌ„moditie the vast quantity of ground which by reason of the sauage demeanor among them hath time out of mind layne wast and vnoccupied and of enioying peace commerce and trafficke with all Nations a blessing most soveraigne and which alreadie is lighted on vs in good measure Then the vnspeakeable benefite of your Highnesse fitte yeeres to governe and your long successefull experience in the affaire being the Arte of Artes office of God farre more intricate dâ—fficult and combersome then anie other kinde of ministration or state of life on earth Then also the speciall consolation which all men take in your Maiesties regatdfull loue toward the Nobilitie of the Realme as hauing alreadie restored some to their lost dignities and endowed others with honor and authoritie in State Lastlie to omit other infinit particulars of lesse moment the good triall of your Highnesse prowesse wisedome iudgment clemencie bountie compassion the edification of your exemplar life of like force to your subiects for fashioning their manners therevnto as were the twigges of partie colour which the Patriarch Jacob laid before the flocke of sheepe he had in keeping at the time of their conceiving the noblest disposition of our yong Prince and his brother the rare vertues of their Queene-mother our most respected Princesse and the hope of such store of children from both your bodies as may to the worlds end most renowmedlie spread and perpetuate the roiall coniunction name familie We saie all these and other like gracious respects doe so aboundantlie replenish our harts w th ioy as no temporall thing can more in the world And to the end these our ioyes may ever inhabite in our soules prosperoulsly without change or diminution we your Maiesties reuereÌ„tly affectionate subiectes doe prostrately beseech your most Princely consideration to commiserate our b Causelesse coÌ„plaints not of persecution for Religion but of Christian Justice for treasoÌ„ grieuous long indured pressures for confessing the Catholike Romane faith the c Popish Religion is the high and brode way to destruction which we have elsewhere proved as large all onely meane as we
is to bee admitted ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 IT is certaine that Princes do as it were flow into the harts of their subiects by Mercy Clemency and that Mercy and Truth preserve the King as Salomon saith Prov. 20.28 Mercy in ceasing from grievous exactions in releiving the poore and the oppresled and in vsing moderation in punishment Truth in keeping of his promises and covenants in preserving and due executing of his laws By these the Kings throne is established 2 But here must be observed the difference between true Mercy Clemency and preposterous lenity pusillanimity in sparing the wicked who should be severely punished Prov. 20.26 Awise Kingseattereth the wicked causeth the wheele to runne over theÌ„ Prov. 17.15 He that instifieth the wicked is an abomination to she Lord. Prov. 24.24 He that saith to the wicked Thou are righteous him shall the people eurse and the muliitude shall abhorre him v. 25. But to them that rebuke him shall bee pleasure and vpon them shall come the blessing of goodnesse 3 Preposterous mercy shewed vnto the wicked and disobedient is crueltie towards the good and loyall subiects Prov. 16.12 The throue is established by instice 4 If any be to be accounted wicked if any be pernicious vnto civill governement and the throne of Kinges it is the Idolatrous the seducing and tutbulent Papist of whom the Lord particularly saith Rewarà ber as shee hath rewarà cà you c. Apoc. 18.6.7 II To the Consequence 1 The CoÌ„sequence hath not the least coherence with the Antecedent wherefore it may iustly be denied 2 The love of Papists vnto the Magistrate is not absolute solute of conscience but for private respects and but during the Popes pleasure wherefore it is not much to bere garded 3 If it were to be regarded in it self yet is it not wore thie the least respect when question is made of toleratioÌ„ the mischiefe of this infinitely surpassing the commodity and profite of the former Reason of State 8 8. REASON OF STATE IN few words for that we are loath to be a A good excuse whereas indeed they are quite destitute of anie argumentes tedious to your Maiesty in multiplying of reasons beside the pleading of these and other like regardfull Motiue that might be alleadged which doe all b how directlie they stand for to ler ation the Answere shewath direct y stand for toleration we further thinke vnder your Maiesties correction that the permission of the liberty we intreate is neither in reason of State a thing c Most pernicious vnto the Stare hurtfull nor by the doctrine of Protestants d A thing cloane contra it to our doctrine vn awfull to be granted The first is cleare by the example of Germanit France Poland and other Countries where diuersitie of Religion is licenced by supreame authority the like e Non causa pro causa found peace wrought and established thereby as both make the said Dominions and Territories to florish and could nâ—uer though of laboured bee brought to passe by force of warre or bloud-shed The other like-wise is as litle doubtful if not better known he Protestants f Bold assertioÌ„s but no proofes books their Pulpits their priuate writings Discourses sounding nothing more whilst they had not the Sword and Scepter on their side then that it was vnlawfull tyrannicall yea diabolicall Antichristianlike to punish any for matter of meere conscience faith religion And the fauour we sue for is but the benefite of that pofition which g Who be they wherefore are they not named they held for most true and scripturall so that if they should now departe from that doctrine they most needes giue the world to see that either then they did wittingly mainetaine the pofition against trueth only to serue their owne h This is iust your practise as this time in supplicating for soleration being a point of doctrine against the streame and currens of your owne men turne withall an ingraven blemish or generally erred in that point of doctrine a blot of no lesse discredit vnto them which breaching clemencie did most recommende gaue greatest increase to their religion And if the Petition we prostrate and doe most uppliantly begge of your Maiesty be neither preiudicial to matter of Stat nor repugnant to the doctrine of the Religion established and regnant in the kingdome as the proofes afore-going l Maine things seeme which are non and so doe those proofes you speake of for indeed they are no proofes 〈◊〉 all seeme to make plaine wee hope there is no other exception that can iustly impeach and many severall respects that may much further the obtaining of our request at your Graces hands Resolution of the 8. Reason Toleration of Popish Religion is neither in Reason of State hursfull as is cleare by the example of Germanie France Poland and other Countries where diversitie of Religion is licensed by supreame auctority nor by the doctrine of the Protestants vnlawfull to be granted Ergo Toleration is not to be deuyed ANSWERE I To the Antecedent THe Antecedent is notoriously false for it is both pernicious vnto the State and also contrary vnto the doctrine of Christ which we professe 2 FIRST it is not only pernicious but also the very overthrow and ruine of the State I Because it draweth GODS curse and provoketh his wrath against the same subiecting it to male diction The Prophets Apostles teach vs that no kingdom no State can prosper no Prince no Potentate no people can be wise or blessed in their government but by honoring and obeying almighty God in such sort as hee hath appointed VVhich doctrine oftentimes is repeated in the lawe wherein it is declared vnto the people of GOD that this should be their wisedome with all nations which should say swely this only is a wise and a politique people if they kept without adding or diminishing all the preceptes vvhich GOD commanded The promise of blessings vnto the obedient and the threatning of curses vnto the disobedient with taking heaven and earth to witnesse that they should finde it so in the end doth plainely testifie that such religion must needes be good for the establishing and prospering a Common-weale which the Lord himselfe hath left vnto vs and contrary wise that no false service of him can be good for any State but that it continually provoketh the curse and indignation of GOD against it Deut. 28. Deut. 30.19 Therefore was the King commanded to take a coppy of the law to haue it by him and to read in it all the daies of his life that he might learne to feare the Lord his God to obserue all his words and statutes by doing of theÌ„ that his minde might not be lift vp aboue his brethren nor he depart from the law to the right hand or to the left that he might prolong his daies in his kingdome his sonnes in the midst of Israel
Deut. 17.18.19.20 To like effect it was saide vnto Ioshua Let not the booke of this law depart out of thy mouth but meditate in it night and day that thou mayest diligently obserue as it is written in it For then thou shalt prosper in thy wates and haue successe in thy affaires Iosh 1.8 For this cause the Kingly Prophet exhorteth Kings to bee wise and iudges to be well advised that they worship GOD and his anointed denouncing vnto the enemies the Almighty power of Christ to the confusion of all that set themselues against him whereby he should be able as easily to breake them as a man with a barre of iron doth dash in peeces a pot of earth Psal 2.10.11.12 To this purpose notable is the speech of Asaria the Prophet vnto King Asa and to all Iuda Beniamin whē the Lord had miraculously foyled the innumerable multitude of their enemies The Lord saith he hath beene with you while yee have beene with him and if yee will yet seeke him be will be readie for you but of yee for sake him he will for sake you According to that which the man of GOD had saide before I will honour these that honour me and despise those which despise mee 2. Chron. 15.1 Sam. 2.30 This doctrine was sealed in the casting away of Saule and in the choosing and prosperous successe of David as he often acknowledgeth 1. Sam. 15. Psal 18.2 Sam. 22. Likewise in Salomon the most vvise and politique Prince that ever sate in the seate of David or ruled any people in the world who because he fully established the service of GOD according to all that had bin commanded by the Prophets the Lord also established his seate and increased his glory aboue all the Kings of the earth till he began to decline frō the Lord his God brought the abominable Idols of the strange women whom hee loved into his owne kingdome houses 1 King 10. Then the Lorde raised vp his servant against him who also in the daies of his sonne so rent away the ten tribes of Israel from the house of David that they never returned vnto it againe This was the speech of the Prophet Shemaiah to Rehoboam and the people of Iudah Thus saith the Lord You have for saken mee therefore will I also abandon you and give you into the hand of Shishak which was performed but in mercy vpon their repentance 2. Chron. 12.5 Abuah King of Iudah obiecteth against Ieroboam that he could not prosper because he had erected Idols in his kingdome had made him Priests contrary to the lawe and assured himselfe of GODS assistance against him for this reason because they had the Lord for their GOD who was their Captaine his lawfull Priests the Sonnes of Aaron sounding the Lords trumpets in the field before them Therefore saith he O yee children of Israel fight not against the Lord GOD of your fathers for yee shall not prosper And accordingly it is added that the Israelites were overthrowne having five hundreth thousand men of warre slaine and the Iewes were strengthened because they rested vpon the Lord GOD of their fathers 2. Chron. 13. Divers was the estate and aflaires of King Asa according as he walked with GOD prospering when he trusted in GOD and decaying when he followed the vaine discourse of flesh and blood and sought to the Aslyrians for helpe The same is alwaies diligently noted in the liues of the rest of the Kings Amazia Azaria Ioas Ezechia Iehoshaphat Manasles and the rest even to the Captivity of both the houses of Israel and Iudah with their Kings for false worshippe and disobedience vnto the vvord of the Lord their GOD. What shall I say of the life raigne death of our late blessed Soveraigne Queene ELIZABETH of most famous and happy memory who being but a woman after innumerable dangers and manifolde Persecutions comming to the crowne as the learned and reverend Father M. Doctor Abbots Deane of VVinchester noteth in his Auswere vnto Reas VI. of D. Hill in the latter end with vnspeakeable courage notwithstanding very many difficulties of Subiects at home of Princes abroad and of the Divell every where professed to mainetaine the trueth of the Gospel and to deface Idolatry superstition which with singular constancie shee continued all the daies of her life yeelding her lande a Sanctuary to all Christians throughout the whole world groaning for liberty of true Religion protecting and defending the afflicted Christians abroade in forraine Countries from the oppression of savage and bloudy Tyrants flourishing in wealth honor estimation being every way admired of all the Monarkes vnder the Sunne whither her fame did come and leaving matter for such a story as no Prince ever hath left the like This thrice noble Princesse after many glorious victories triumph◠other renowned prosperities notwithstanding the tyrānous attempts of forraine enemies abroad the frequent conspiracies of vngodly persons at home against her crown person by the favor of the Almighty vnder the shaddowe of whose wings shee was ever safely protected having Raigned foure and forty yeeres foure months and eight daies a Virgin Queene dyed in peace in a full glorious age so beloved so honoured and so esteemed of her Subiectes as never was any Prince more And GOD to testifie his owne worke left at her death no calamitie or miserie in the kingdome no warres but even Ireland then calmed no famine no apparant pestilence no inundation of waters but plenty and abundance with inexspected tranquillity Yea to the end that he might crowne her with blessings hee put vnity and agreement into the Nobles Cleargy Commous of this Lande that readyly they submitted them selues to the only lawfull and royall Successour These and infinite such like examples declare true Pietie to be the very base and foundation of all true wisedom and policie Impietie what shew so euer it haue of outward ward profit and commodity for a season yet in deed and in the end to be the very cause of ruine and overthrowe to all estates and kingdomes The reason whereof is manifest because all Kings and Princes holde their Crownes and Scepters at the will and pleasure of GOD who is King of Kings Lord of Lords Prov. 18.15 Dan. 4.32 As therefore the Tenant at will hath no better policie then to please his Lord of whom he holdeth so the greatest policy soūdest wisdome that may be vsed by Kings Princes is to please the Lord our GOD in all obedience namely in the zealous advancing of his true religion service in the repressing of all false worship Idolatry hypocrisy tyranny which otherwise call nay cry aloude for GODS vengeance to pull down such sleeping dissembling colluders out of their thrones II Popery cannot be tolerated in England because it cannot chuse but involve the State in infinite perplexities and raise tumults and vproares in the kingdome 3 The instāces in Germanie Fraunce
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
O Lord open the eies of these Men. The Auctors Teares and humble Petition vnto Almightie GOD. ALAS alas deare GOD Be there yet any left that pleade for Baal Hast thou not taught vs revealed vnto vs the impietie and iniquitie the infidelitie and irreligion of the Profession now vrged Haue not we after diligent inquirie deprehended it to be Idolatrie Blasphemie and Prophanation of thy name as appeareth by the worship of Idols of bread wood stone by their iustifications through their owne workes and so many other by meanes besides that only sweete Sacrifice of thy Sonne and by their false worship which is not a Service prescribed by thy worde but a meere devise of vnpure carnall profane and divellish wits Have not we founde the doctrine and practise of it as a Sea of Sin to be the cause of all disloyaltie dishonestie and wicked conversation amongst men as appeareth in that Antichristian Supremacie whereby the Man of Sinne in the divellish pride of his harte and seate challengeth vnto himselfe fulnes of power and soveraignety of iurisdiction to doe what pleaseth him in heaven in earth and in hell to dispense with what he list What greater encouragement can there be to sinne then that a man may be sure for a little money to haue a sealed pardon not onely for any wickednes coÌ„mitted but also for al he shal coÌ„mitte during his life many hundred yeeres after So absurdly wicked is their doctrine practise If by going on pilgrimage saying so many times over his beads fasting so many daies giving so much vnto Monkes Friers or maintaining so many Masses a man may satisfie for his sinnes and appease thy wrath ô GOD against the same who will be restrained from any wickednes or be carefull for amending his life But no marveile though so infinite a power of the Pope be so great a cause of sinne seeing the auctoritie of absolution which every Popish Priest hath is so fruitful in this kind to the incouragement and increase of wickednes we haue but too many woefull examples of such who absolved their disciples before hand to poyson and to murder the sacred persons of our Kings and Princes thine Anoynted If every Priest hath such a power to absolve from sinne what wickednes is there which these Absolvers will not dispense with and what security for anâ— Prince or State where such Priests and Absolvers may be enduted What shall I speake of the dishonestie and vncleanes of their secrete Confessions of their Stewes of their orders of Monkes and Friers vnlawfull vowes and single life which are causes of hypocrisies adulteries fornications and a thousand abominations of vncleannes What shal I speake of their SaÌ„ctuaries priviledged places exemptions immunities appeales and protections which must needes by impunity provoke men vnto all wickednesse It is as cleare as the Sunne both through thy Iustâ—ce ô most righteous GOD who canst not but from heauen reveile thy wrath vpon so great vngodlines the very nature practise of Popish Religion that it must needes be an enemie to all good policie whose end is to represse sinne and starke poison certaine ruine of all kingdomes States where it is established How long ô Lord how long wilt thou endure these Lovers of Babylon How long wilt thou suffer them to profane thy name to defile thy sanctuarie and to seduce thy Children We thy poore Servants in the Vniversities may write til our strength faileth vs preach yea cry out till we haue lost our voices and mourne till our hartes breake in defence of thy eternall truth against Popish Antichristianisme Yet vntill the Ministrie of thy Word be established in every part of our Land the bitter rootes therof wil never be cleane pulled vp Thou knowest ô GOD that some of the Ambassadours of thy Sonne are sufficiently provided for and we see and feele to our great griefe that our Ministrie in many yea in most places is vnprouided contrary to thy commandement and to the iust cause of feare of thy indignation against vs for it if it bee not some way in time relieved But this specially ariseth of the spoile which the children of Babylon in times past haue made by impropriating and annexing the living of so many particular Churches to the maintenance of their Cloysters Abbeyes and dignities by their Antichristian dispensations Whereby they haue left the Ministrie so marveilously vnprouided and so beggerly as that in some places there are to be found many Parishes togither wherof all the livings that now remaine to them are not sufficient for the competent maintenaÌ„ce of one Man and his familie Which lamentable estate of our Church deterreth many from vndertaking that holy and honorable Function vvho having sufficient giftes seeing the Ministry oppressed with beggery and subiect to other discredit and inconveniences arising thereof bestovve themselues in some other lawfull calling wherein they may bee able to liue in wealth and credit By which meanes the vnsufficient and vnlearned Ministry seized vpon the possessions of the Church to the infinite hinderance of the Gospell to the increase strengthening of Poperie and the losse of thousands of Soules which CHRIST IESVS thy deare Sonne hath bought with his precious blood Alas alas that the poore Parish according vnto thy ordinance giveth the Tithe of al they haue to haue a Man of GOD amongst them who may teach them the righte way to serue and honor thee and to saue their soules alas I say that this Tithe should be taken away and still detained by the greedy Nabals hold-fast Labans of the world and applyed to profane vses leaving the poore spoyled of their goods and the whole parish vnfurnished of one who should be their guide to everlasting life By which devillish covetousnes they make themselues guilty not only of the horrible sin of Sacriledge and of the robbery of the goods of the people but also questionlesse of the destruction of many th usand Souâ—es in taking detaining from them the meanes whereby they might be taught vnto salvation Alas that for any cause so many soules of thy People should perish Thou dost not delight in the death of a sinner and thou canst doe whatsoever thou wilt both in heaven and in earth thou mannagest the hearts of Kings commandest the Rulers of the peâ—ple Incline I beseech thee the royall hart of our KING ô Lord and of the Peeres and Nobles of this kingdome now assembled togither to take pitty vpon the miserably-distressed Soules of thy children that by thy speciall favour and grace they may finde out some reasonable meanes whereby every Parish may recover their owne againe to the mainetenance of a worthy Minister amongst them Behold ô heauenly FATHER thy CHILDREN in many places of this land cry for bread even for the bread of life and there is no man that breaketh it vnto them the tongues of many cleaue to their roofe for thirst being ready to perish and no man giveth them the water of life to quicken their soules Wee cry vnto thee ô Lord thou art our FATHER harken vnto the teares of thy CHILDREN and graciously grant our request even for thy dearest Sonne IESVS CHRIST his sake who hath shed his most precious hart-blood for our Redemption so shall the saved Soules of thousands praise thee togither with thy Sonne and the Holy Ghost for evermore Revelat. 7.12 Amen Praise and Glorie and VVisedome and Thankes and Honour and Power and Might be vnto OVR GOD for evermore Amen FINIS
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