they deale so much more feruently in our behalfe by how much lesse cause they haue to be carefull for them-selues and by how much greater perfectioÌ„ of synceare (g) Hier. in vigil c. 2. 3. Bern. in vig. Pet. Pau. serm 2. in festo eorundem ser 2. de S. Vict. charity and of all kinde of vertue agreable vnto blessed Saints they continually doe exercise Not with-out greate cause therfore doe wee (h) Dam. l. 4. cap. 16. reuerence these lightes of heauen and nexte vnto God the fortresses principall ornaments of the Church Not without greate cause doe we esteeme praise imitate and loue exceedingly these Saintes aboue all mortall men thoughe neuer so excellent Not with-out greate cause according to our small power we doe exhibite great honor vnto theÌ„ being now aduanced to such and so great dignity Finally not without great cause do we according to ChristiaÌ„ pietie make sute vnto theÌ„ (i) Bas in 40. Mart. et in Mamátem Naz. ora 18. in Cypr. 21. in Ath. 20 in Bas Nyss de San. Eph. Chrys in ser de catenis S. Petri. Amb. de vid. de fid resur in c. 22. Luc. Chrys ho. 66. ad pop Ephr de laud. Mart. Hier. in epit Paulae ep 27. c. 1. 7. 14. Aug. de cura pro mort c. 4. l. 7. con Don. c. 1. Ber. ser 66. in cant Theod. l. 8. Graec. aff in Philoth. Prud. in lib. peri steph 7. synod Act. 6. vide etiam supra in salutationem Angelicam Gen. 48 16. Iob. 5 1. Gen. 32 26. Ose 12 4. Zach. 1 12. Hier. 15 1. call vpoÌ„ theÌ„ not that they may giue any thing as of themselues but that they may pray with vs to God the giuer of all goodnesse and that they may be fauorable and effectuall intercessours eueÌ„ in their behalfe that haue deserued no good at all Which kinde of worship and inuocation if it bee done rightly as it should to witte so as that supreame (k) Aug. lib. 10. ciu c. 1 lib. 20. cont Faust ca. 21. lib. 8. ciu cap. 27. worshippe and honor due vnto Almighty God which wee called Latria may stand whole perfite there is doubtlesse no inconuenience therein neither is it (l) Ro. 15 30 Heb. 13 18. Ephes 6 18. Col. 4 2. 1. Thes 5 25 2. Thes 3 1. Luc. 7 3. Iob. 42 8. repugnant to holy Scripture but is approued by many firme testimonies of the Church is very profitable And in that we do in this manner with the Church honor cal vpon the Saints it is so farre off from obscuring the glory (m) Conc. Trid. sess 25. of Christ our Lord Sauiour that it doth more set forth and aduance the same For herein doth the most excellent vertue and glory of Christ our Redemer shine and shewe it selfe in that he doth not only in himselfe but in (n) Ps 67 36. Ioan. 14 12. his Saints also appeare mighty glorious and marueilous in that he honoureth (o) Io. 12 26 Mat. 19 28. Luc. 19 17. Ap. 2 26. 3 21. 5 10 them himselfe and will haue them exceedingly (p) Psal 138 17. honored in heauen and in earth also in that that by them and for their sakes (q) Chry. ho. 2. in Psal 50. ho. 27. in Mat. 42. in Gen. fâ—r de virt et vit he giueth many thinges and spareth oftentimes the vndeseruing For it is well knowne that ABRAHAM (r) Gen. 26 3.24 Ex. 32 13.3 Reg. 11 12.32.34.36 et 15 4. Esa 37 35. 4. Reg. 8 19. et 19 34. et 20 6. et 2. Mac. 15.12 ISAAC IACOB DAVID HIEREMIE are reade to haue profited the liuing though they themselues were departed before Whereupon the fathers (s) Amb. vid. et in ca. 21. Luc. Leo. seâ— 1. et 2. de Pet. et Pau. et ser de annâ—uers Paulin. ad Cyth et de B. Faelice Maxim de Taur Mar. Bas in 40. Mar. Aug. quest 108. in Exod. Euseb de praep lib. 13. cap. 7. wheÌ„ they speake of the Saints they often call them our fauorers intercessors and Patrones And not without cause doubtlesse forasmuch as the faithful suffrages of the Saints wheÌ„ they are humbly and deuoutly desired in the name of CHRIST are knowne by experience to haue done good to many For which cause were (t) Hier. con Vig. ca. 2. seq epist 53. adu Ripar in ca. 65. Esa er 2. Syn. Nic. Gangreh the VIGILANTIANS long since condemned who do defraud the saints their holy (u) 4. Reg. 13 21. Eccli 48 14. Aug. 22. ciu cap 8. Dam. lib. 4. cap. 16. Bas in Psal 115. Chrys in Iuuent Max. in Bab. ser de catenis Petri. Amb. ep 85. ser 91. 93. Naz. Iamb 18. Conc. Trid. sess 25. Act. 19 12. 5 15. Luc. 8 44. Mat. 14 36. Relickes of their honours which the true Catholike Church hath alwaies giueÌ„ vnto theÌ„ Neither must we giue eare vnto malitious cauilers who doe falselye affirme that the honour due vnto God is by this meanes translated (x) Gen. 19 1. 23 7. 33 3.6 42 7. Ios â— 14. 1. Reg. 20 41. 25 23. 4. Reg. 2 15. 1. Pat. 29 20. vnto men that Saints are adored for Gods that creatures are by Catholikes made equal vnto the Creatour For that it is nothing so bothe many other thinges doe conuince amongst the rest that olde and solempne supplication called the Lytanie dothe testifie where God the diuine persons are worshiped and inuocated first of all in a farre more high and excellent manner than the Saintes (y) Bern. ser de 4. modis orandi Victor lib. 3. de persecutione Wand or all the orders of Saintes together Hereupon also were those feasts of Saintes instituted which Sainte AVGVSTINE writing againste FAVSTVS the Manichee (z) Lib. 20. con Fau. ca. 21. in Ps 88. Conc. 3. ser 47. de sanctis Ber. in Vig. Pet. Pau. Isid lib. 1. de off ca. 34. 35. defendeth in this manner The Christian people saith he dothe celebrate the memories of Martirs with a religious solemnity that they may both stirre themselues vp to the following of their steppes and also be made partakers of their merits and holpen by their prayers 9 Is the receiued vse of the images of Christ and his Saintes contrary to this first commaundement Bar. 6 25.38 Deut. 4 15. 5 8. Psa 113 12. 134.15 Sap. 14 1.21 1. Cor. 10 7. 8 4. NO surely for we doe not as the Heathens are wonte worshipe images stockes stones as if they were certaine (a) Leu. 26 â— Tert. l. 2. 501. Mar. cap 22. Goddes for that is speacially prohibited in this commandement but after a Christian maner and with a deuoute minde we doe there honour Christ himselfe his Saintes where they are represented (b) Bas
Neither did Saint Paul superstitiously iudge between day day Act. 20 16. vide Bedā ibidem Epiph. haeres 75. when he made hast if it were possible to keepe the day of 〈◊〉 that is of remission and of the holy-Ghost as noteth Beda at Hierusalem giuing vs therin both example of Celebrating Christian Feasts also as S. Hierom Epist 17. ad Marcellam noteth of the lawefulnesse of Pilgrimage of which we will speake hereafter So doe wee also obserue the Feastes of the Passion of our LORDE of Easter of Ascension and others which S. Augustine saith Epist 118. eitther vndoubtedly to haue beene instituted in generall Councels or rather to haue proceeded from the Apostles themselues as these forenamed Feastes must needes whereas they are motioned of Fathers Clem. lib. 5. const c. 21 Iren. apud Iust q. 115. Tert. lib. de cor mil. Orig. lib. 8. Con Cels more ancient than any general Counsail Finally of the holy-daies of our LORDE thus saith Lib. 10. ciu cap. 16. S. Augustine Wee dedicate and consecrate the memorie of Gods benefites with solemnities Feastes and certaine appointed daies least by tract of times there might creep in ingratefull and vnkind obliuion But of Festiuities of Martyrs the same saith thus Lib. 20. cont Faust cap. 21. Christian people Celebrate the memory of Gods Martyrs with religious solemnity both to mooue themselues to imitaton of them and that they may be partakers of their merits and be holpen with their praiers And of all Saints generally In Ps 88. Conc. 2 vid. Clem. lib. 8. const c. 39. Eccl. Smyrn apud Euseb lib. 4. hist ca. 15. Orig. ho. 3. in diuersos Euangelij locos Tert. de cor mil. Cyp. l. 3. ep 6. l. 4. ep 5. Bas orat in Gord. Nyss orat in Theod. Naz. orat in Iul. Amb. ser 66. 77. 78 Hier. in cap. 4. ad Gal. epist 19. ad Eustoch Prudent in Hymno de SS Petro Paulo Chry. hom 66. ad pop Theod. l. 8. de Martyribus Aug. in Ps 63. 88. Paulin. natali 2. 3. S. Felicis Cōc Laod. ca. 51. Carth. 3. cap 47. Tolet. 3. cap. 23. Lugdun cā pronuntiād do Cons d. 3 Mogūt c. 36 Keepe yee and celebrate with sobriety the natiuities of Saints that we may imitate them which haue gone before vs they may reioice with vs which pray for vs. These daies therefore are worthely accounted more holy reverend than other ordinary prophane daies because they represent vnto vs the singular liberallity of Almighty God shewed in them first in the person of oure Sauiour as the Sunday of which insteede of all the Feasts of our LORDE we we will exemplifie on which day he was borne rose againe and sent the holy-Ghost And therefore that day representing vnto vs the Natiuity of Christ both vnto this life vnto immortall glory and also the natiuity of the Church by the holy ghost is no doubt of greater dignity thā the Sabboth of the Iewes For that day in that it signified a gratefull memorie of thinges passed did onely carry a relation vnto the material creation of the world And in that it represented things to come partely it is to be abolished for that those things now be He. 4 10. fulfilled as the rest of Christ in the Sepulcher from his workes of our redemptiō Aug tra 30. in Io. the rest quiet of those which are regenerate in Christ from the seruile workes of sinne and the Aug. ep 119. rest of holy soules in the bosome of Abraham Partely it is more notably excellently supplied by the DOMINICAL day For the Sonday farre more exceeding that in signification of rest representethe vnto the deuoute obseruers therof the euerlasting glorie reuealed in Christ rising from death and expected of all those which are his liuely members As S. Augustine Ibid. noteth Nowe in the Feasts of Saintes also we both Celebrate the memory of so great a benefite as is the birth-day of our brethren into Heauen and their Assumption to so high a dignity and their glorious triumph ouer the worlde the fleshe and the diuell we reioice also at so good examples giuen to all the Church and a newe patron in heauen and a newe cause of ioy to all the Celestiall Courte This therefore is the conclusion of this our discourse that some daies especially and before others according to the custome of holie Scripture and the auncient Fathers of the Church Amb. ser 62. Aug. Praef. in ep Io. l. 22. ciu cap. 30. lib. 20. cont Faust c. 21. ser 21. detemp Leo. serm 4. de quadr are truely called Holie Sacred Mysticall of religious solemnity 3 And what must we esteeme of holie Water such like AS we call some daies more holy and religious than others so do we also say the same of many other Creatures of God which although they be good of themselues as created by him which is essentiallie good and Gen. 1 31. sawe that all thinges that he made were very good Yet because both they for our punishement often-times become hurtfull vnto vs either by their owne qualitie and disposition or by the malice Greg. lib. 1. dial cap. 4 Aug. lib. 18. ciu cap. 18. of the Diuell also for to bring to passe and signifie some spirituall effecte they be very holesomly 1. Tim. 4 5. sanctified by the worde of God and Praier as Saint Paul hath written Mat. 14 19. Luc. 9 16. Christ himselfe in blessing the loaues which hee multiplied hath taught So doth the Church Clem. l. 8. Const cap 35. Dion de eccles hier c. de Baptism Alex. 1. ep 1 Cyr. catec 3. Cypr. l. 1. ep 12. Amb. l. 4 de Sacr. c. 5. lib. delis qui initiant c. 3. Bas de spir sanct c. 27. Epiph. haer 30. Aug. ho. 27. ex 50. ser 19. de sanct l. 6. in Iul. cap. 8. Conc. Nannet c. 4. vse to blesse Water of which we haue most auncient testimonies as also miraculous Epiph. haeres 30. Theod. l. 5. cap. 21. Pallad cap. 19. Greg. lib. 1. dial cap. 10. Beda lib. 5. hist cap. 4. Bern. in vita Malach. See the histories of the newe Indies exāples of the effecte thereof And S. Basil calleth it an Apostolicall Tradition as it may alos appeare by the Apostles own Scholers who make mentiō of the same But S. Alexander he who 50. yeeres after S. Peter gouerned the Church of holy water saith thus shewing both the auncient vse therof by giuing a generall commandement confirming that which before hee practised Wee blesse water sprinckled with salte for the people that al being sprinckled with it may be sanctified purified which thing also we ordaine as to be done of all Priestes For if the ashes of Heb. 9 13. an Heifer being sprinckled with blood did sanctifie and clense the people much more water sprinckled with salte consecrated with diuine praiers doth sanctifie clense the
A SVMME OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE COMPOSED IN LATIN By the R. Father P. CANISIVS of the Society of IESVS With an Appendix of the fall of Man Iustification according to the Doctrine of the Councel of Trent Newly translated into Englishe To which is adioined the explication of certaine Questions not handled at large in the Booke as shall appeare in the Table 2. THESS 3 6. We denounce vnto you Brethren in the name of our Lorde Iesus Christ that you withdrawe your selues from euery Brother walking inordinately and not according to the Tradition which they haue receiued of vs. Against those which are ignorant of thinges necessary to saluation AVG. de grat Lib. arb Cap. 3. NO man must runne to the darkenes of ignorance that in them hee may seeke an excuse For one thing it is not to haue knowne another thing to haue refused to knowe For the will is reprehended in him of whom it is said he would not vnderstande that he might doe wel Yea that very ignorance which is not of those who wil not know but of those who simply doe not know doth excuse no man so that he shall not burne with the euerlasting fire if therefore hee did not beleeue because he neuer heard what he might beleeue but perhappes that he may burne more tolerably For not without cause was it said Powre out thy anger vpoÌ„ the nations which haue not knowen thee And that which the Apostle saieth When he shall come in flame of fire to giue reuenge vpoÌ„ those which know not God Because thou hast reiected knowledge I also will reiect thee OSE 4 6. They said vnto God Departe from vs we will not haue the knowledge of thy waies IOB 21 14. If any man know not he shall not bee knowne 1. COR. 14 38. Be ye not made as the horse and mule in whome there is no vnderstanding PSAL. 31 9. Cease not my sonne to heare doctrine neither bee thou ignorant of the speaches of knowledge PRO. 19 27 We must not thinke that ignorance will be a sufficient excuse for there will come a time when euen for our ignorance we shal be punished when not so much as our ignorance shall obtaine pardon CHRYS ho. 26. in ep ad Rom. The Preface to the Reader THe gloriouse Apostle Saint PETER very fittely compareth the worde of God 2. Pet. 1 19. and the doctrine of the holy-Ghost vnto a Candell shining in a darke place vntill the day dawne and the day starre arise in our hartes For although Christ our Sauiour the true light of the worlde hath by his most bitter Passion and pretiouse woundes giuen light vnto our darkenes yea and of darkenes which we were before made vs a shining light yet so long as we remaine in the mist of this mortalitie and that it appeareth not what we shal be we are truely light in comparison of Heretickes and Infidells but in respect of heauen we are in the night and continually conuerse in obscurity and darkenes All honour then and glory be as it is worthy yeelded vnto him who least we walking in darkenes know not whither to goe hath prouided vs a Candell of his holy doctrine euen in the middest of Egypt and set it vpon a candlesticke in the Catholicke Church where those which are out of this house of God liuing in palpable darkenes the children of this light may safely expecte the rising of that starre which neuer shall sette which is the cleare vision of Gods euerlasting glory This light although by diuerse persons who loue darkenes better than light it hath by sundry meanes bene assaulted yet hath these assaultes done nothing eâ—se but by encreasing the aduerse darkenes made the light appeare more gloriouse and contrary to mans expectation yet agreeably to Gods disposition not brought water to quench but fewell to feede so liuely slames Hence may we in all places of our Countrey to our owne great comforte and Gods singular glory out of Prisons out of Iudgementes out of all maner of publicke places out of many priuate persons and families behold the beames of this light so vehemently issuing forth Mat. 24 27. that comming out of the East for to vse our Sauiours wordes it appeareth euen to the West and it shineth so generally abroade that it is renowmed in the wholle world which seeing the beauty thereof glorifieth our Father of light which is in heauen Onely my deare Catholicke Brother who being vnlearned seekest to treade the steppes of thy forefathers walking in darkenes of this mortall life procurest to follow those which befâ—re thee haue caried lightes for thy direction it sometime cometh into my minde to feare least either thy torchbearers being taken from thee or for ouer-long watching the oile of the Lampe which they may leaue thee I meane charitie and a good conscience * 1. Tim. 1 19. the tinder and fewell of that light of Faith begining to faile the light it selfe may by little and little be extinguished and so thou returning to thy former darkenesse togither with the children of darkenes maiest fall and perishe We are not ignorant of his cogitations who like a roaring Lion goeth about seeking whom he may deuour and amongst other sleightes which he vseth transfiguring himselfe into an Angell of light with a counterfaite light of hypocrisy and heresy seeketh to depriue thee of that which is true and sincere Wherefore I offer vnto thee a torch or candell containing in it although in a small match the whâ—ll lighte of Christian Relâ—gion which although it bee lighted at the candel of another man yet thou knowest that light is neuer the lesse because it is receiued of another and in this it is more free from all suspition whereas it is the same light which lighteneth many other partes of the world This when thou hast once receiued and fully enioied thy selfe thinke that thou hast not performed thy duety if thou imparte it not to thy children O how they are deceiued in how great daunger of euerlasting damnation doe they liue who as though they had by carnall generatioÌ„ brought into this world brute beastes whose onely end is to liue here without any end of heauenly blisse do not seeke for their children the meanes of their saluation onely prouiding for them earthly riches not caring for heauenly Nor considering that besides the very bonde of the lawe of nature of God himselfe who hath giuen most straite charge of good education of children Christ our Sauiour hath consecrated Christian mariages into a sacrament for this end amongst others that they may present vnto our Sauiour sanctified children by baptisme first and afterward by all Christian and Catholike discipline Mariage was instituted to propagate the people of God not to build vp the confused walles of Babilon The Turke or Iew if he should perceiue his child to haue bene present at Christian Ceremonies would not sticke to embrew his handes in that which he begotte And
saluting the mother of God FIrst of the wordes and examples of the Gospell whereas the great Archangell GABRIELL and ELISABETH the holy mother of the (a) Luc. 1 28 42. fore-runner of our Lorde both inspired by the holy Ghost do so teach and instructe vs. TheÌ„ we haue this forme of salutation confirmed ratified by the continuall custome and consent of the Church which the holy auncient (b) Damasc in Cant. de annunc Ath. in Euang de SS Deipara many more as appereth in the 18. 19. sections Fathers and men of olde time haue religiously obserued euen to this day and would haue also of vs to be obserued 17 What doth it profite vs to vse this manner of salutation BY these excelent words we are first of al admonished of that exceeding greate benefite that the eternall Father woulde * Gal. 4 4. beginne in Christ by MARIE the mother of God and mercifully bestowe vpon mankinde by redeeming it Luc. 11 27. et 1 30. This is also a singular commendation of the most holy and woonderfull Virgin which God hath determined to be the finder of grace and mother of life vnto vs all Wherefore no meruaile if after those Godly petitions which we offered vnto god in our Lords praier being here mindfull of the grace that we receaued by Christ we doe not only praise the mother of Christ but also God the Father in the same Virgin mother of God reioiceing together with the Angels with great reuerence often salute her 18 What is the sense of this salutation Andr. Hieros Archie Cretensis in salut Angâ—l Iren l. 3. c. 31. 33. Hier. ad Eusto ep 22. c. 8. 9. Innoc. 3. ser 2. de assump Ber. hom 2 in Missê° est Aug. ser 2. de annun IN the first wordes therof we doe iustly reioice with in reioicing praise and renowme her that was to vs the second and that a most happy EVE For that woe of malediction that the first EVE brought into the world this other by her holsome fruite hath taken away and hath exchanged the very curse of the children of ADAM with a perpetuall blessing Most worthy no doubt to be called ful of grace as who being full of God Amb. in c. 1 Luc. Ber. ser 9. ex paruis full of vertues alone for I will vse S. AMBROSE his words obtained that grace which no other had euer deserued before that she might be replenished with the Author of grace And what place could there be in her soule or bodye for any vice when she was made the temple of the holy of all holies There is added besides Our Lord is with thee because both the power of the Father did singularly ouershadowe (a) Luc. 1 35. her the holy Ghost came plentifully vpon her and the (b) Io. 1 14. Ps 18 6. worde being made fleshe from her did proceede in most wonderfull wise as a bridegroome from his chamber Then it followeth Blessed art thou among women Because she was together a spouse by * Esa 7 14. Ez. 44 2. Virginitie and a mother by fruitefulnesse And therefore with greate right all generations doe and shall al-waies call her (c) Luc. â— 48 blessed A woman (d) Cant. 4 7 all faire and immaculate a Virgin before her deliuery at her deliuery and after her deliuery alwaies (e) Amb. ep 81. Hier. in Helu in Apol. aduer Iouin vncorrupted free from all spot of sin (f) Aug. de nat gr c. 36. Conc. Trid. Sess 5. et Ses 6. cap. 23. exalted aboue all heauens who no lesse by giuing life was profitable than vnhappy EVE by killing was hurtfull vnto all mankind And blessed is the fruit of thy wombe IESVS as he that springing vp like a (g) Esa 11 1. flower from MARIE the roote hath both shewed him-selfe after a sorte fruite of the earth and doth in such manner yeeld the fruit of life and saluation to his members as (h) Io. 15 5. a Vine doth iuice and life vnto the branches O blessed wombe (i) Luc. 11 27. indeede that bare and broughte forthe a Sauiour to the worlde O blessed pappes without doubt that being filled froÌ„ heauen suckeled the Sonne of God Finally the Church hath added in the end (k) AntiquuÌ„ Breuiarium nouum Holy MARIE mother of God pray for vs sinners now and in the houre of our death For we following the (l) Ephrem de laud. Mar. in orat ad eandem in lament B. Virg. Iren. 5. c. 19 Naz. or 18. in Cypr. in Tra. Christus patiens Fulg. ser de laud. B. Virg c. 12. Ber. ser 2. Dom. 1. post octa Epiph. ser 1. 4. de Assump Damasc or 1. de Natiui B. Mariae in carmine ad eandem steppes of the holy Fathers doe not only salute that wonderfull Virgin worthy of all commendation which is as a Lillie (m) Can. 2 1 amongst thornes but doe also beleeue and professe that she is endowed with so greate power and ability from God that she is able to profite fauour and pleasure miserable mortall men especially when they doe commend themselues their desires vnto her doe humblely sue for the grace of God by the Mothers intercession 19 Testimonies of the Fathers touching the Virgin MARY Lib. 5 ca. 19. IRENEVS As EVE was seduced to swarue from Almighty God so MARY was perswaded to obaie God so that MARY a Virgin was made the aduocate of EVE a Virgin and as mankind was made subiecte to death by a Virgin so it is loosened by a Virgin a Virgins disobedience beinge counterpeazed by a Virgins obedience Saint CHRISOSTOME In Liturgia It is very meete and iust to glorifie thee the mother of our God euer most blessed and al-together vndefiled more honorable thaÌ„ the Cherubins more glorious incomparablely than the Seraphins which without all corruption hast brought forthe God we do magnify thee the very mother of god Hail Mary ful of grace our Lord is with thee blessed art thou among women blessed is the fruit of thy wombe because thou hast brought forthe the Sauiour of our soules S. AMBROSE Li. 2. de Vir. Let the Virginitie and life of blessed MARY be set forthe vnto vs as it were in an image from whom as froÌ„ a glasse there shineth out bright the beauty of chastitie and fairenesse of vertue What is more noble than the mother of God What is more bright thaÌ„ she whoÌ„ brightnes did choose What is more chaste than she that brought forth a body without contagion of the body Such a one was MARY that her only life might be a document to all men In Euang. de Sancta nostra Deipara Saint ATHANASIVS Forasmuch as he is a king that was borne of the Virgin the same also Lord and God for that cause she that bare him is truely properly iudged to be
a Queene and a Ladye and the mother of God This new EVE is called the mother of life she remaineth replenished with the first fruites of immortall life aboue all liuing creatures We doe call her therefore againe and againe and euermore euery way most blessed To thee we cry bee mindfull of vs O most holy Virgin which euen after thy deliuery remainedst a Virgin Haile MARY ful of grace our Lorde is with thee The holy orders of all Angels and men doe call thee blessed Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruite of thy wombe make intercessioÌ„ for vs O Mistres Lady Queen mother of God S. GREGORY NAZIANZEN In. tragoed Christ pa. tiens O ter beata Mater O lux Virginum Quae templa caeli lucidissima incolis Mortalitatis liberata sordibus Ornata iam immortalitatis es stola Meis benignam ab alto aurem exhibe verbis Measque Virgo suscipe obsecro preces O mother thrise happy and light of Virgins pure Inhabiting the Temples bright of heauenly globe Thou now from mortall filth exempted secure Of immortallity art decked with the robe Yeeld courteous audience from high to what I say And entertaine my sutes O Virgin I thee pray Serm. 2. de Annun S. AVGVSTINE holy MARY succour the miserable help the faint harted cherishe the sorrowful pray for the people bee a meane for the Cleargie and make intercession for the deuout woman kinde Let all feele thy helpe whosoeuer doe celebrate thy Commemoration Ser. de laud. Mariae FVLGENTIVS MARY was made the windowe of heauen because by her god gaue the true light vnto the worlde MARY was made the ladder of heauen because by her God descended down to earth that by her also men may ascend vnto heauen MARY was made the restorer of women because by her they are knowne to bee exempted from the ruine of the first curse Serm. 2. de adu lege euÌ„dem ho. 2. sup Missus est in illud Apoc. SignuÌ„ magnum apparuit Et serm de Nat. Virg. S. BERNARD The kinglie virgine is the very way by the which our Sauiour came vnto vs proceeding out of her wombe as a Bridegroome out of his chamber By thee let vs haue accesse to thy Sonne O blessed inueÌ„trix of grace bringer forth of life and mother of Saluation that by thee he receiue vs who by thee was giuen vnto vs. THE THIRD CHAPTER OF CHARITY AND THE TEN COMMAVNDEMENTS 1 Is it sufficient for a Christian to be instructed in the doctrine of faith hope IT is very necessary that hee which hath attained vnto Faith Hope be indued with Charity also For of these three vertues Saint PAVL teacheth iointly thus Nowe there (a) 1. Cor. 13 13. remaineth saith he Faith Hope Charity these three but the greater of these is Charitie Great vndoubtedly is faith which may (b) 1. Cor. 13 2. Mat. 11 23. Mat. 7 22. suffice to moue mountains and worke miracles Great also is Hope a certaine (c) 1. Thes 5 8. Eph. 6 17. Heb. 6 19. helmet Ancour of saluation which setting before vs the goodnesse of God the greatnesse of rewarde doth afforde both effectual comfort to them that labour a singular confidence to them that pray But greatest of all is Charity the (d) Prosp l. 3 de vita coÌ„t ca. 13 15. Aug. in Ps 47. tract 5. ep Io. eâ—ch c. 117. ser 53. de temp Prince of all vertues which knoweth neither measure nor ende nor forsaketh them that die being stronger than death it selfe without which in a ChristiaÌ„ there may be indeed both Faith Hope but (e) Aug 15. de Trin. c. 18 they cannot be sufficient to the leading of a good happy life For which cause S. IOHN saith He (f) 1. Io. 3 14 that doth not loue abideth in death although in the meane season he beleeue and hope as the example of the foolishe Virgins in the Gospell (g) Mat. 25 11. Aug. ser 23. de verb. do c. 4. 8. Mat. 22 36. â—uc 10 27. Mar. 12 30. Aug. lib. 3. doc cap. 10. doth plainlie declare vnto vs. 2 What then is Charity A Vertue infused by God by which God is syncerely loued for himselfe and our neighbour for Gods sake For God is chiefely to bee loued in al things (a) Bern. de dilig Deo aboue al thinges and for himselfe alone as alone being the most soueraigne and eternall good which only satisfieth our mindes whose loue (b) 1. Cor. 10 31. Col. 3 17. honour ought to bee the beginning and finall ende both of our wil and of al our workes Then for (c) Aug. ho. 38 ex 50. ca. 2. seq Gods sake must we loue our neighboure that is to say (d) Aug. in Ps 118. concione 8. ser 53. 59. de temp euery man without exception For asmuch as wee be al neighbours amongest our selues linked together with a great affinitie both in regarde of the same humane nature common to all the ehildren of ADAM also by reason of Gods grace and euerlasting glory whereof al that wil may bee partakers 3 Howe many precepts of Charity be there IN substance two whereof the first of louing God is thus propounded in the old newe Lawe Thou (a) Deut. 6 4 Mat. 22 36. Mar. 12 30. Luc. 10 27. Greg. lib. 10. mor. c. 6. 7 shalt loue the Lord thy God from thy whole heart with thy whole soule with thy whole minde with all thy strength This is the greatest the first Commaundement And the second is like to this thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe On these two commandements dependeth the whole Lawe and the Prophets This Charity is the (b) Rom. 13 11. fulnesse of the Law summe of Iustice that is to say the (c) Col. 3 14. band of perfection Charity I say froÌ„ a (d) 1. Tim. 1 5. pure hart a good coÌ„scieÌ„ce a faith not fained 4 Howe doth true Charity shew it selfe THe proofe of (a) Greg. ho. 30. in EuaÌ„g loue Charitie is to performe the same in deeds and to obserue Gods Commaundements Whoreupon Saint IOHN also the beloued of Christ saith (b) 1. Io. 5 3. This is the charity of God that we keepe his Commaundements his Commaundementes are not heauie And againe (c) 1. Io. 2 4. Hee that saith hee knoweth God and keepeth not his Commaundements is a liar and the trueth is not in him But he that keepeth his word in him in very deed the charity of God is perfited In this we knowe that we be in him And Christ himselfe also teacheth If you (d) Io. 14 15 loue me keepe my Commaundements He that hath my Commaundements and keepeth them he it is that loueth me And he that loueth me shall bee loued of my Father and I
14. can 5. procured if a man doe diligently beholde the foulnesse enormity multitude of his sinnes if hee carefully thinke vpon that soueraigne goodnesse offended of the grace of God and other giftes loste if he doe deepelie waighe and stand in awe of the ineuitable (b) Heb. 9 27. Sophō 1 15. Mat. 25 41. Mar. 9 43. necessitie of the vncertaine houre of death the horrible seuerity of the iudgement to come and the euerlasting paines prepared for sinners Hereūto appertaineth that of EZECHIAS (c) Esa 38 15. I wil recoūt vnto thee all my yeeres in the bitternesse of my soul And that of DAVID (d) Ps 118 120. I stoode in awe of thy iudgemēts And that which hee also in lamenting manner doth pray (e) Ps 37 9. I am afflicted too much hūbled I did rore with the sighs of my hart And a little after (f) Ibid. v. 19 I will declare my iniquity and I will thinke for my sinne Also it is an expresse speach of God himselfe vnto a sinner Thou (g) Apoc. 2 4. 2. ad Cor. 12.21 7 9. hast lefte thy first Charity be mindfull therefore from whence thou art fallē doe Penance (h) Luc. 12 5 Mat. 10 28. And Christ in the Gospell Feare him saith he who after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell Yea I say vnto you feare him Nowe finally this griefe of Contrition doth prepare vs to remission of sinnes in-case it be ioined with (i) Amb. l. 1. de paenit c. 1. a confidence of Gods mercie and a desire of performing those thinges which do belong to the Sacrament of (k) Aug. de paenit med cap. 11. in Ench. ca. 65. Ambr. in Ps 37. c. 8. ad Virg. laps Penance 5 Is Confession necessary YEA verily but not only as some doe falsely suppose that interiour Confession which is to be done in the presence of God (a) Chry. ho. 42. in Mat. euerie day according to the example of holy DAVID who saith I haue (b) Ps 31 5. saide I will confesse against my selfe my vniustice vnto our Lord But also this exteriour confession which is done vnto a (c) Orig. in Ps 37. ho. 1. ho. 2. in Leu. Chry. l. 3. de sacer Niss orat in eos qui alios acerbius iudicant Pet. Clun l. 1. mirac c. 3. 4. 5. 6 l. 2. c. vlt. Priest of all the sinnes which doe come into a mans minde after diligent searche and examination of his conscience So is it written of men of the Primatiue Church Many of them that (d) Act. 19 18. beleeued came confessing and declaring their deedes Which manner of confessing to be very neecssary not only the holy lawes of the Church (e) Con. Lateran cā 21. Flor. Trid ses 14. cap. 5. and the reuerent writings (f) Clem. ep 1. ad frat Do. Dion ep 8. ad Demoph Tert. de paenit ca. 8. 9. 10. 12. Orig. in Ps 37. ho. 1. 2. ho. 2 in Leuit. Cyp. de laps Pacia in paraen ad paenit Hier. in c. 10. Eccle. Chry. ho. 30. in Gen. 16. in Mat. of the Fathers doe confirme but also the diuine words of Christ doe cōclude and declare when hee saith (g) Ioan. 20 23. Whose sinnes you shall forgiue they are forgiuen them And whose you shal retaine they are retained But to remitte retaine sinnes whereas this is an office of a Iudge no Priest can haue authority except he first examine and knowe verie perfectlie the sinners cause whereof hee hath to iudge Neither can this knoweledge be had before that the partie which committeth himselfe to bee iudged and absolued by the Prieste as his (h) Aug. lib. 20. ciu c. 9. Greg. ho. 26 in Euang. Chry. l. 3. de sacer ho. 5. de verb Esa Hier. ad Heliod ep 1. cap. 7. Iudge and (i) Con. Lat. can 21. Wormat. c. 25. Orig. ho. 1. 2. in Psal 37. Phisition doth so discouer and laie open his woundes in such distincte seuerall manner by voluntary Confession that the Priest may plainly perceiue where the sinnes are to bee loosened and where they are to be bounde 6 What doe the Fathers write of Confession THey certes doe with one consent not onely commend approue vnto vs the benefite of Confession and perpetuall practise of it in the Church but the bond also necessitie thereof And to alleadge amongest verie many a fewe and those most approued witnesses first (a) Quaest 288. in reg breu vide quaest 229. in ep 3. can ad Amphil can 73. S. BASIL the great saith thus It is iudged necessary that sinnes be confessed vnto those to whom is committed the dispensation of the mysteries of God for so the verie Penitents of auncient times are found to haue confessed their sinnes vnto holy mē Then (b) De laps vide ep 10. 55. S. CYPRIAN I beseech you my breethren saith he euery one to confesse his sinne whilest yet he that sinneth remaineth in this world whilest his confessiō may be admitted whilest euery mans Satisfaction remission giuen by the Priests is acceptable vnto our Lorde Hereunto accordeth the sentēce of S. AVGVSTINE Hom. 49. ex 50. cap. 3. ho. 41. 50 cap. 4. 5. who teacheth in this manner Doe yee Penance such as is done in the Church that the church may pray for you Let no man say within himselfe I doe it in secret I doe it before God alone God who pardoneth mee knoweth that I doe in heart Was it there foresaid in vaine (c) Mat. 18 18. Ioan 20 23. Whatsoeuer you shall loose in earth shall be loosed in Heauen Were the KEIES giuen to the Church of God in vaine Doe we frustrate the Gospell of God Doe we frustrate the wordes of Christ Doe we promise you that which he denieth Doe we deceiue you And in another place (d) Lib. 2 de visit infirm cap. 4. There are saith he that do thinke it sufficient for their saluation if they confesse their sinnes to God alone vnto whō nothing is hidden and euery mans conscience lieth open For they will not or they are ashamed or they disdaine to shew themselues vnto PRIESTS whō yet our Lord hath by MOISES ordained to discerne betweene (e) Leuit. 13 2. 14 12. Luc. 17 14. Mat. 8 4. Leaper Leaper But I will not haue thee deceiued with this opinion and bee ashamed thereby to confesse them vnto the vicegerent of our Lord either languishing with shamefastnesse or stiffe-necked with indignation For of reason in like manner must we admit him for our iudge which our Lorde doth not disdaine to bee his Vicar And it is no lesse euident that (f) Ep. 91. ad Theod. vide ep 80. ad Episc Camp LEO the great hath lefte in writing The manifold mercies of God doth so succour the falles of men that not only by
consuming his goods hurting his health bringing on diseases and finally shortning cutting off his owne life For it is a very true saying By meanes (e) Eccli 37 32. 31 19. ps 77 29. Num. 11 33. Deut. 12 15. Prou. 21 17. of surfeiting many haue died but he that is abstinent shall encrease life Againe In much (f) Eccli 37 33 meat there shal be infirmitie Therefore Christ cōmandeth Looke well (g) Luc. 21 34. Vide Bur char l. 34. de cret et Iuon parte 13. c. 68. sequ to your selues least perhaps your hartes be ouercharged with surfeting drunckennes And Saint PAVL dehorting vs from drunckenes saith (h) Eph. 5 18. Pro. 20 1 Hier. in c. 1. ad Tit. ep 83. ad Ocea c. 4 Ambr. l. 1 de paenit c. 14. Be not druncke with wine wherein is riotousnes (i) 1. Cor. 6 10. Gal. 5 11 Ose 4 11. Pro. 31 4. Eccli 19 2. Drunckerds shal not possese the kingdome of God And hence is it also that the Prophet giueth such a heauie threate vnto drunckerds Woe (k) Esa 5 22 11. et 22 12. Pro. 23 20.29 Amos. 6 4. Luc. 6 24. you that are mightie to drincke wine and strong men to mingle drunckennes 8 What is Anger what ofspring hath shee Anger is an inordinate desire of punishing him by whom a mā supposeth that he haue ben harmed There doth spring (a) Greg. l. 31. mor. c. 31 Pro. 29 22. Iob. 15 2.13 Eccli 19 28. Eph. 4 31. frō her these detestable daughters Braulinge Swelling of the minde Contumelies clamour disdainfulnesse and Blasphemie This is a pernitious poison of (b) lege Bas ho. 10. de ira Chrys ad pop ho 29. seq ho 6 in act 4. 18. in Mat. Greg. l. 5. mor. c. 30. sequ the minde ouerthrowing al vigour of iudgement wisdome and impairing the helth of the minde yea oftentimes also of the body For which cause hath Ecclesiastes giuen warning Be not (c) Eccles 7 10. Eccli 8 19. 28 1. 30 26. Pro. 12 16. 15 1.18 18 6.14 22 24. 26 21. 27 3. Iob. 5 2. Ps 4 5. 30 10. thou swifte to be angry for anger resteth in the bosome of a foole And the doctor of the Gētiles hath giuen charge Let (d) Eph. 4 31. Col. 3 8.12 Ber. ser 13. in Ps Qui habitat Amb. lib. 1. off c. 21 August in Psal 4. lib. de vera relig cap. 45. epist 87. 149. Greg. lib. 8. ep 51. ad Leont par 3. past adm 17. all bit ternes anger indignation clamor and blasphemie be taken away from you with all malice And be gentle one to another mercifull pardoning one another as also God in Christ hath pardoned you But against angrye contentiouse contumelious persons that dreadfull sentence of Christ is alreadie pronounced Whosoeuer (e) Mat. 5.23 Greg. l. 21. mor. c. 5. Aug. l. 1. de ser dom in monte c. 19. Enchir. c. 79. is angry with his brother shall be in danger of iudgement and whosoeuer shall say to his brother Raca shall be in danger of a Councell And whosoeuer shall say thou foole shall be guilty of hell fire 9 What is Sloth and which be her brāches Ber. ser 3. 6. de ascens Greg. 3. parte past admon 16. SLoth is a languishing of a minde that is slacke and negligent to do well And speacially it is a sadnes about some spirituall matter Shee bringeth forth (a) Greg. 31. mor. c. 31 Eccli 33 29. Pro. 15 13. Eccli 7.9 30 22. Pro. 17 22. Psal 118 28 39 13. these daughters malice rancour pusillanimitie desperation dulnes about the necessarie commandements and a wandering of the minde about things vnlawfull Of this sinne are those men guiltie that are (b) Mat. 20 3.6 22.5 Idle lither and as the Scripture calleth them luke warme (c) Ap. 3 15 Pro. 6 3. 10 4.26 13 4. 18 8.9 19 15 24. 20 4. 21 25. 22 13. 24 30. 25 20. 26 13. 28 19. Eccli 5 8. 7 16. 14 2. et 22 1 Psal 72 5. Hier. 48 10. iuxta 70. Ro. 13 11. 2. Cor. 7 10 Gal. 3 3. Apoc. 2 4. and finally euery one that dothe passe ouer this time of grace day of saluatiō in vaine affairs endeuoures And the end of this sinne is that which Christ teacheth in the Gospell Euery tree (d) Mat. 7 18. 3 10 21 19. Luc. 13 7. Io. 15 2. which yeeldeth not good fruite shall be cut downe and shall be cast into the fire And in an other place The (e) Mat. 25 26 30. vnprofitable seruant cast ye out into the vtter darkenes * Eccli 6 23 Eccles 9 10 2. Thes 3 7. Gal. 6.9 10. Heb. 12 12. Ro. 12 11. Phil. 4 4. Neither hath he omitted to tell vs what in the meane season he would haue vs to doe that we may eschew sloth saying Take heede (f) Mar. 13 33.35 Mat. 24 42. 25 13. Io. 9 4 Eph. 5 14.16 Ap. 3 2.3 watch and pray for you know not when the time is striue to enter by (g) Luc 13 24. Mat. 7 13. 11 12 the narrow gate because many I say to you shall seeke to enter and shall not be able These thinges we haue breifly touched to the intent that they which are not already taught the waies of Iustice maye not onlye know discerne the chiefe diseases and detestable plagues of mankind which we haue shewed but also endeuour accordinge to the prescript of Gods law to abandon frō themselues and others and vtterly to expell the same Happy (h) Psal 1 1. Bern. ser 35. ex paruis is that man which hath not walked in the Councell of the wicked and hath not stoode in the way of sinners and hath not sitte in the chaire of pestilence as the Kinglie Psalmist singeth notefying vnto vs the first part of Iustice and happinesse in the front of his first Canticle OF ALIEN SINNES 1 What sinnes are called Alien sinnes THose which although they be wrought and accomplished by the handes deedes of other men yet they are worthely imputed vnto vs and doe make our consciences guilty of damnation in the sight of God And therefore of this may that be vnderstood which the scripture commandeth Doe (a) 1. Tim. 5 22. vide Bas de uera virg thou not communicate with other mens sinnes And that which the Kingly Prophet praieih Frō (b) Psal 18 13. ibid. Euthim. Aug. l. 3. de lib. arb c. 10 my secret sinnes clense me o Lord frō alien sinns spare thy seruante Heereunto (c) ser 2. de bap cap. 9. Aug. ser 18. de ver Do. cap. 18. doth S. BASIL the great refer that which S. PAVL wrote to the EPHESIANS Cōmunicate not
exclameth the Ecclesiasticus Of (k) Eccli 5 4.5 Eccle. 9 1. vide Aug de perf lust cap 15. de corr gra c. 13. ho. 41. ex 50. ser 3. de Innoc Greg. li. 16. mor. c. 3. the remission of sinne be thou not without feare neither doe thou adde sinne vpon sinne And doe not say the mercie of our Lorde is great he will haue compassion vpon the multitude of my sinnes For mercie and anger doe soone approche frō him his anger doth looke vpon sinners rightly therfore saith the Prophet I will sing mercie (l) Ps 100 1. Bern. ser 52. ex paruis ser 6. in Cāt. Aug. de vtil poenit c. ult iudgement vnto thee o Lord. then in an other place The (m) Ps 98 4 honour of the King loueth iudgement 4 How doth a man sinne against the holy Ghost by desperation VVHen the contrarie vice vnto presumption Aug. ser 58. de temp in Psal 50. Greg. lib. 5. mor. c. 14. Isid lib. 2. de sum bo c. 14 Chry. ho. 2. in Psal 50. Ber. ser 5. de nat Dom. whereof we spake before doth so possesse the minde of a man that he casteth off all hope either of obtaining pardone before God or of attaining vnto life euerlasting After this sort sinned CAIN by despaire as himselfe testifieth by his speeche when he saith (a) Gen. 4 13 Bern. ser 11. in Cant. Greater is my iniquity than that I may deserue pardon Thus sinned also IVDAS that Traitour (b) Mat. 27 3. Act. 1 18. Ephes 4 19. 2. Reg. 2 26. vnto Christ at what time he being moued with despaire of saluatiō like an vnhappy wretch hanged himselfe But doubtlesse (c) Ezec. 18 21.27 33 11. 1. Io. 1 7.9 2 1. Hier. 3 1. Esa 1 18. Ps 144 8. Eccli 17 20.27 there is no penance too late as is manifest by the (d) Luc. 23 40. Aug. li. 1. retr c. 19. de cor gr ca. 15. ser 181. de tēp c. 16. Leo. ep 91. ad Theo. Conc. Trid. ses 14. cap. 7. example of that thiefe which vpon the Crosse euen in those last momentes of his life obtained great grace heauenly glory at the handes of Christ 5 When doth hee that oppugneth the trueth sin against the holy-Ghost VVHē * Leo. ep 10. ad Flau. c. 1. Aug. de Gē ad lit l. 7. c. 9 tra 18. in Euang. Ioa. de vtil cre ca. 1. l. 18. ciu ca. 51. lib. 21. c. 25. that trueth which cōcerneth the estate of Faith Religiō not of ignorance but of malice is purposely impugned that thereby the sinceritie of Catholike veritie may be blemished Of this sinne were the Pharisies (a) Mat. 12 24. 15 2. 21 45. 22 15. Io. 7 48. 12 10.19 guiltie whose chiefest care we see to haue bene as malitiously as falsly to blaspheme Christ to persecute the doctrine of the Gospell and to suppresse the testimonie (b) Act. 4 16. 5 18. of the Apostles and that euen against their own consciences Not vnlike vnto these are they that are said by the Prophet to sitte in the (c) Psal 1 1. chaire of pestilence and are called by S. PETER (d) 2. Pet. 2 1 lying maisters that doe bring in Sects of perdition Finally by S. (e) Tit. 3 10. PAVL Heretickes men corrupted (f) 2. Tim. 3 8. in mind reprobate concerning the faith attending (g) 1. Tim. 4 1. to spirites of errour subuerted condemned by their owne (h) Tit. 3 11 iudgement Among whom may be numbred that same seducer ELIMAS whom S. PAVL publikelie reprehending saide with great vehemencie O full (i) Act. 13 10. of all guile and all deceipte sonne of the deuill enemie of all iustice thou ceasest not to subuerte the right waies of our Lorde To this kind also is referred Blasphemie (k) Mat. 12 31 of the Spirite which sinne Christ doth greatly rebuke in the Iewes and maketh it worse then other sinnes And woulde to God that this sinne did not raigne in these our daies For against the holy Ghost doe they also blaspheme as writeth DAMASVS (l) Apud Gratianum 25. quaest 1. violatores who against the holy Canons of the Fathers endited by the instinct of the holy Ghost doe any thing willingly or malepertly or presume to speake or wilfully giue their consent to thē that haue a minde so to doe For it is manifest that such a presumption is one kinde of the blasphemies against the holy Ghost thus saith DAMASVS 6 How is Enuie of brotherly grace a sinne against the holy Ghost Aug. li. 1. de ser Dom. in monte cap. 22. 1. retr cap 19. VVHen we are striken with a greate greife and sorowe because of the splendor encrease of vertues Gods guiftes in which our brother doth excell Which sinne seemeth to be rather proper vnto the Deuill than vnto man whereas the Deuill doth most wrathfully take the encrease and continuance of (a) Sap. 2 24 the grace of God in man and for that cause he is not only an accuser (b) Apoc. 12 10. of our brethren but also an implacable aduersarie (c) 1. Pet. 5 8. of God of all good men who as a roring Lion goeth about seeking whom hee maye deuour There were among the Iewes such sonnes of Satan who did altogether enuie vnto the Gentiles the lately springing grace of the Gospell as we read in the Acts (d) Act. 11 2. 13 45. Gen. 4 5. of the Apostles 7 What kind of obstinacie is that which is a sinne against the holy Ghost Aug. in Enc. cap. 83. in Ps 58. conc 1. Greg. ho. 11. in Ezech. Bern. li. 1. de consid ca. 2. in ser de conuers ad Cler. cap. 4. THat certes which beareth an obstinate minde against him that giueth him good admonition so that he will not suffer him selfe by any meanes to be withdrawne from his damnable course With this sinne was King PHARAO (a) Exod. 7 seq Aug. quaest 18. 24. in Exod. ser 88. de temp Gerg 31. mor. c. 11 l. 11. ca. 5. notably attainted who although he were so often admonished by MOYSES and sometimes afflicted with very sore scourges frō God yet notwithstanding in his tirannicall purpose he (b) Exod. 14. obstinatly persisted and perished Famous also was that (c) Hier. 5 3. 8 5. Esa 48 4. Zach. 7 11. Gen. 49 7. incorrigible obstinacie of the Iewes whom S. STEVEN painting out as it were in their colours saith With a (d) Act. 7 51. hardnecke and with vncircumcised eares you haue all waies resisted the holy Ghost And not vnlike vnto them are those at this day that being addicted vnto new sectes may not abide so much as to heare or reade anye Catholike instructions but euen like to the serpent (e) Psal 57 5 called
these we are (i) Ephes 2. created destinated in Christ as the which thinges God hath prepared that we may walke in them For these thinges done (k) Mat. 25 34. Io. 5 29. in charitie the iust shal be receiued into the euerlasting kingdome And for neglecting of the same the vniust shall be cast hedlong into hell fire And as it is Pharisaicall (l) Luc. 18 11. and full of vanitie with the contempte of others to iustifie himselfe and to trust to his owne (m) Ro. 10 3. Trid. sess 6. cap. 16. workes so is it Christian like and lawfull that a man with humilitie diligentlye attend vnto good workes and if at any time he will glorie to glorie in (n) 1. Cor. 1 31. 2. Cor. 10 17. our Lorde who worketh in vs to will and to accomplishe as witnesseth the (o) Phil. 2 13. Apostle 4 What is fasting THis worde hath not one simple signification A greate and generall faste S. AVGVSTINE (a) Aug. tra 17. in Io. l. 2. quaest Euang ca 18. calleth to abstaine from vices and vnlawfull pleasures of the worlde Then is there a philosophicall Fast as some name it consisting in a spare diet temperance of meate and drinke and morall sobrietie wherewith the very (b) Hieron lib. 2. aduers Iouin c. 9. Heathens according to the rule of right reason do liue teÌ„perately Thirdly there is an Ecclesiastical Faste (c) Clem. Constit Apost l. 5. cap. 12. 14. 17. 18. 19. Isid lib. 1. offic c. 36. sequ Raban de instit cler lib. 2. c. 17. sequ Iuo part 4. cap. 25. sequ Burch l. 35. to wit when according to the certaine custome prescript of the Church we forbeare fleshe diet vpon some certaine daies are content with one only repast Which kind of Fast is after a Godly Christian manner (d) Cypr. de Ieiun teÌ„tationibus Christi Athan. de Virg. Chrys ho. 1. 2. in Gen. serm 1. 2. de Ieiun Bas orat 1. 2. de Ieiun Aug. de vtil Ieiun cap. 2. 3. Amb. in lib. 1. de Helia Ieiun epist 82. Leo. in ser de Ieiun 7. 10. mensis Pentecostes quadrag vndertaken to performe Gods seruice more religiously to tame the fleshe and make it subiect to the spirite to yeelde the worthy fruites of penance to exercise obedience finally to obtaine any grace fauor at Gods handes 5 But What answere is to be made vnto those that doe reprehend contemn the law of the Ecclesiastical Fast FIrst such persons are to be admonished that they doe not fasly attribute vnto Catholicks that which the Apostle doth (a) 1. Tim. 4 1. Ccl. 2 16. Deut. 14 3. Can. Ap. 50 52. Conc. Gang. can 2 1. Tol. in assert fid Bracâ—r 1. can 14. 32. detest and the Church hath euer in the Iewes Maniches Priscilianistes condemned for that either according to the law of MOYSES or of superstition they do abstain from certain meats For Catholicks as S. AVGVSTINE aunswereth (b) Lib. 30. Con. Faust cap. 5. de mor. Manic c. 13. 14. Con. Adim cap. 14. Theod. in epito diuin decr cap. de Abstinen Bern. ser 66. in Cant. Isid l. 1. de offic cap. 44 GeÌ„ 1 29. 2 16. 9 3 Leu. 10 8. Num. 6 3. Iud. 13 7.13 Hier. 35 6. 18. Dan. 1 8. 10 2. Mat. 3 4. Mar. 1 6. Luc. 1 15. Act. 15 20.29 Ro. 14 20. 1. Cor. 8 13. 1. Tim. 5 23 6. Syn can 56. Greg. ad August teste GratiaÌ„ distinct â— et Iuon par 4. c. 29. Athan. in vita Antonij Hieron in vita Pauli Erem Hilarionis Epiph. in compend doct Eccles Cathol FAVSTVS the Manichee Whereas they abstaine from fleshe they doe it for to tame their bodies and to restraine the more their soules from such motions as be contrarie to reason not for that they thinke the fleshe it selfe to be vncleane neither doe they abstaine from fleshe onely but also from some certaine fruites of the earth either alwaies as a fewe or at certaine daies and times as in the Lente for the most part euery one Thus writeth S. AVGVSTINE And before him the same also EPIPHANIVS teacheth where he confuteth the Aerian heresie which will haue the sett (c) Haeres 7â— Aug. haeres 53. Damase de haeres Fastes of the Church to be at euery mans discretion and no man to bee bounde thereunto But in that the order of time is obserued in (d) Hieron in ep ad Gal. cap. 4. Leo. ser 3. 4. de Ieiun 7. mensis ser 4. de quadrag Baâ— orat 2. de Ieiun publike Fastes as also in Praiers holy daies that doth confirme setforth and aduance the order and publike concorde in the Church Besides priuate Fastes fewe woulde impose vpon themselues as being hindered from such endeuours with a naturall loue of the fleshe and care of the bellie Nowe that it is of great importance and of assured meritte reuerently to imbrace and diligently to obserue such kinde of Fastes (e) Lib. 2. c. 5 10.11 Aug. haeres 22. Amb ep 82. S. HIEROME proueth it so plainlie against IOVINIAN that none can doubte thereof any more Vnto which may be added those thinges which we haue taught before concerning the obseruance of the precepts of the Church that for the auoiding of (f) Aug. ep 118. ad Ianuar cap. 2. Scandall and retaining of publcike discipline Neither only for wrath but also for conscience sake as the Apostle (g) Ro. 13 5 hath saide And it is manifest as the writers (h) Aug. ep 36. Epiph. in compend Calixt ep 1. ad Bened. Leo. ser 1. et 2. de Pent. et ser 8. 9. de Ieiun 7. mensis ser 8. de Ieiun 10. meÌ„sis Raban l. 2. de instit Cler. cap 24. Conc. Mog cap. 34. Salegun cap. 2. Bern. in vigil S. Andr. in all ages doe proue that this is both the perpetuall Discipline Custome Tradition and decree of the Church and hath beene euer from the beginning that vpon certaine daies especially of the (i) Ignat. ad Phil. Epiph. in compend Theoph. Alex. lib. 3. Paschali Maxim in serm de quadrag Amb. Aug. Leo. Bern. de eadem Orig. ho. 10. in Leuit. Isid 1. offic cap. 36. Aug. ep 119. cap. 15. in Psal 110. Lent this Fast of the Church shoulde be obserued So doe the (k) Can. 68. Canons of the Apostles and the most holie (l) Laod. c. 50. 2. Brac. c. 9. 4. Carth can 63. Tribur c. 35 Agath c. 12 Councelles teach The Councell of (m) Can. 19. Mogunt can 35. Gangra certes pronounceth them accursed that doe contemne the common Fastes of the whole Church And the Toletane (n) 8. Tolet. c. 9. vide Telesph in epi. ad vniuers Theoph. Alex l. 3. Pasc Aug. ser 64. de temp Niceph. l. 17.
is very euill To wit of them who like the obstinate Iewes doe die in their sinne without penance and for that cause doe so perish that they are to be tormented perpetually (m) Luc. 16 c f Greg. 4 dial cap. 38. hom 12. in Euang. Beda lib. 5. hist Angl. cap. 14. 15. in hell with the rich Glutton But of the other he testifieth (n) Psal 115 a Pretious in the sight of our Lord is the death of his Saintes For to (o) 2. Cor. 5 a b Greg. 4. dial cap. 11. sequent Cyprian de mortal Amb. de bo no. mort c. 2. seq such this death of the bodie is nothing else but an end of this earthly peregrination a conclusion of the miseries of this mortall life a quiet sleepe and a secure repose the begining of true life and a wished passage to most happie immortalitie with the desire whereof the Apostle burning and being weary of this life (p) Phil. 1 d Luc. 2 d Psal 41 a 83 a 141 b Num. 23 b I desire saith he to be dissolued and to be with Christ (q) Luc. 12 c Blessed are those seruantes that whē the Lorde commeth he shall finde watching And blessed (r) Apoc. 14 c are the dead which die in our Lorde And (s) Sap. 4 b a iust man if he shall be preuented with death he shall be in a refreshing 3 In what sorte doth holy scripture admonish vs of Iudgement IT is horrible to (a) Heb. 10 f Bern. ser 8. in Psal Qui habitat fall into the hands of the liuing God and of Christ the Iudge before whose (b) 2. Cor. 5 b Tribunall we must all be manifested and euerie man (c) Rom. 14 b Luc. 16 a 12 f 19 d must render accounte for himselfe For all (d) Eccles 12 d 11 d 1. Cor. 4 a Ro. 2 a b c Sap. 1 c Eccli 11 c Mat. 12 c 16 d Apoc. 20 d 22 c Psal 61 b 2. Tim. 4 b Damas in orat de def Cyr. de exitu animae Leontius in vita Ioanis Eleemosin thinges that are done God wil bring into iudgement for euery faulte whether it bee good or euill And therefore not only vnto sinners but also vnto (e) 1. Pet. 4 d Sephon 1 c Psal 74 a Ber. ser 55. in Cant. Greg. lib. 8. moral cap. 13. Saints often-times the expectation (f) Heb. 10 c of this iudgement is terrible This did holie DAVID feare so that hee did earnestlie pray Enter not (g) Psal 142 a into iudgement with thy seruaunt O Lorde This feared IOB also notwithstanding hee was innocent (h) Iob. 1 a and his feare he expresseth in these wordes (i) Iob. 31 b What shal I do when God shal arise to iudgement And when he shal aske what shal I answere him as swelling waues (k) Ibidem c Greg. 21. moral cap. 15. 16. ouer me I alwaies feared Almighty God and his waight I coulde not beare I did feare al (l) Iob. 9 d 24 b Eccles 9 a 1. Cor. 4 a my works knowing that thou wouldest not spare him that offendeth And certes that iudge is (m) Aug. in lib. de decē chordis cap. 1. 2. Prosp lib. 3. de vita contempl c. 12. Bern. ep 1. Innocentius 3. lib. 3. de contemptu mundi c. 15. to be feared whose power we cannot escape whose wisedome is infallible Iustice inflexible Iudgement vnreuocable Of which it is thus writtē The Zeale (n) Pro. 6 d and furor of the Man to witte of Christ the Iudge shall not spare in the day of reuenge nor yeelde to any mans petition nor will take for redemption neuer so many giftes Who also of himselfe and his iudgement least any man should be ignorant hath foretolde this vnto all men When (o) Ps 74 a Bern. ser 55. in Cant. I shall take time I will iudge iustice I the Lord (p) Hier 17 b 11 d 20 c 32 c Pro 16 a Heb. 4 d 1. Par 28 b Mal. 3 a Ps 7 b 43 d scarching the hart prouing the reines who doe giue to euery one according to his way according to the fruit of his inuētions I come (q) Esa 66 f Iudae epist c Mat. 10 c to gather togither their works and their cogitations with all nations and toungs they shal come see my glory But of the day of the last iudgement (r) Aug. 20. de ciu Dei cap. 1. 2. 30. lib. 18. c. 53. item ep 78. 80. ad Hesych Hippol. de consum mundi Damas lib. 4. orth lid cap. 27. which is also called in Scripture the day of our (s) Soph. 1 d Ioel. 2 a e g 3 a Esa 13 b c 24 c d 66 c Hier. 23 d Mal. 3 a 4 a b Dan. 7 c d Apoc. 20. d 6 d Psal 96 a 59 a Mat. 24 25 c d 13 f 3 c Sap. 5. a d Lorde the day of anger the great horrible day the Apostle Saint PETER teacheth in this manner The day of our Lord shall (t) 2 Pet 3 c Aug. lib. 20. de eiu Dei cap. 16. 18. Chrys ho. 46 ad pop Antioch sequent Ephrem in lib. de ilidicio extremo lib. de vera paenitent Aug. ser 67. d c temp Isid de summo bono lib 1. c. 30. Cyr. catech 15. Illum Hier. ep 1. ad Heliod cap. 9. Greg. hom 1. 12. in Euang. lib. 26. moral cap. 24. 25. Aug. cap. 4. meditat Anselmus de miseria hominis Bern. de interiori domo cap. 38. come as a thiefe in the which the heauens shall passe with great violence but the Elements shall be resolued with heate and the earth and the workes that are in it shall be burnte Therefore whereas all these thinges are to bee dissolued what manner of men ought you to be in holy conuersations and godlinesses expecting and hasting vnto the comming of the day of our Lorde by which the heauens burning shall be resolued and the Elements shall melt with the heate of fire And that wee may finde Christ then a gentle Iudge and that daie wherein Heauen and (v) Luc. 21 f 1. Cor. 7 f Apoc. 21 a Earth shall passe ioyful vnto vs most excellent is this counsaile of the wise man Before (x) Eccli 18 c 2. Pet. 3 c Luc. 21 g Tit. 2 d 1. Thess 5 a Luc. 17 f Chrys ho. 5. de poenit sickenesse apply the medicine and before iudgement examine thy selfe and in the sight of God thou shalt finde propitiation For if wee (y) 1. Cor. 11 g did iudge our selues we should not be iudged To (z) Eccli 1 b Greg. lib. 31. moral c. 21. Aug. ser 120 de temp him that feareth our Lorde it shall bee well at the last and in the day of his death he shall be blessed 4 And what of hell and the paines thereof Vide Chrys epist 5.
Chrys lib. 2. de coÌ„punct cord they that thinke themselues to stand let them take heed least they fall and Phil. 2 b Aug. de natura gtatia cap. 27. de dono perseuer cap. 13. let theÌ„ worke their owne saluation with feare trembling in 2. Cor. 6 a b Laboures in Watchings in Almes in Praiers and oblations in Fastings Chastitie For knowing that they are regenerate into the Rom. 52 hope of glorie not yet into glorie they ought to feare the combate which is yet behinde Bern ser 5 in vigil natiuit Dom. ser 5. in Psal Qui habitat meditat cap 14.15 with the worlde the flesh and the deuill In which combate they cannot be conquerours except being holpen with the grace of God they obey the Apostle saying We are debters not to the flesh Ro. â— c to liue according to the fleshe For if you liue according to the flesh you shall die But if by the spirite you mortifie the deeds of the fleshe you shal liue 18 Of them that are fallen their reparation BVt they which by sinne haue fallen froÌ„ the receiued grace of iustificatioÌ„ may Aug ho 50 ex 50. â—â— de quaest 1. 2. of the Sacrament of Penance be iustified again wheÌ„ Almighty God stirring theÌ„ vp by the SacrameÌ„t of Penance through the merits of Christ they shal procure to recouer the lost grace For this maner of Iustification is the reparation of him that is falne which the holy Fathers haue Vide of the Sacrament of Penance quaest 2. 199. aptlie called the second Table after the shipwracke of the losse of grace For in the behalfe of them that doe fall into sinne after Baptisme Christ Iesus hath instituted the Sacracrament of Penance when he saide Io. 20 c ibid. quaest 1. pag. 197. Receiue ye the holy Ghost whose sinnes you shall forgeue they are forgiuen them and whose you shall retaine they are retained And therfore we must say that the Penance of a Christian man after his fall is farre different from that of Baptisme And that therein is contained not only a ceasing from sinne and a detestation thereof or a contrite Psal 50. See pag. 199 201. and humble hart but also that See qu. 3. 6. ibideÌ„ Sacramentall confession is to be made of the same at the least in desire and at due time and there is necessarie also the absolution of a Priest as also satisfaction See qu. 7. 8. ibideÌ„ by Fasting Almes Praiers and other deuout exercises of a spirituall life not certes for the euerlasting paine which either by the Sacrament or by the desire of the Sacrament is remitted together with the faulte but for the temporall punishment which as Num. 12 d â— Reg. 12 c 24 b See quâ—est 7. pag. 210. the holie Scripture doth teach is not as it is in Baptisme wholly remitted vnto them which being vngratfull vnto the grace of God which they once receiued haue Eph. 4 g contristated the holy Ghost haue not bene afraide 1. Cor. 3 d to violate the Temple of Almightie God Of which penance it is written Apo. 2 b Be mindfull from whence thou art fallen doe Penance and doe the first works And againe 2. Cor. 7 c The sorow that is according to God worketh Penance vnto saluation which is stable And againe Mat. â— c Doe Penance Luc. 3 c And yelde fruites worthie of Penance 19 That by euery mortal sinne grace is lost but not Faith ANd against the subtile deuises of some men who by sweete speaches Ro. 16 c benedictions doe seduce the harts of Innocents we must affirme that not only by infidelitie by which euen Faith it selfe is lost but also by euery other Iac. 2 b Bas lib. 1. de Baptis par 2 lib. 2 c. 9. mortall sinne whatsoeuer although Mat. 7 c d 25 a Luc. 12. f Io. 12 g 1. Cor. 13 a Iac. 2 c d Aug. lib. 15. de Trin. cap. 18. tract 10. in ep Io. Fulgent de incar gratia Christi c. 26. Faith be not lost yet the receiued grace of Iustificacion is lost defending hereby the doctrine of Gods lawe which excludeth from the Kingdome of God not only Infidells but also the Faithfull that are 1. Cor. 6 b Gal. 5 c d Ephes 5 b Apoc. 21 c Fornicatours Aduouterers Effeminate Liers with mankind Theues Couetous persons Drunkerdes Railers Extortioners and all others that coÌ„mitt mortall sinne froÌ„ which they may with the helpe of Gods grace abstaine and for which they are separated from the grace of Christ. 20 Of the fruite of Iustification that is to say of the merit of good workes of the reason of the same merit THerefore vnto those persons that are by these meanes Iustified whether they haue perpetually preserued the grace receiued or recouered it againe being lost these words of the Apostle are to be proposed 1. Cor. 15 g Abound ye in euerie good worke knowing that your labour is not vaine in our Lord. Heb. 6 b For god is not vniust that he should forget your worke and loue which you haue shewed in his name And Heb. 10 g Doe not leese your confidence which hath a great remuneration And therefore to such as worke well to the end and hope in Almighty God life euerlasting is to be proposed both as a grace mercifully promised through IESVS CHRIST to the sonnes of God and as a reward Aug. de grat de lib. arbit c. 8. 9. epist 105. 52. l. 1. cont aduersa â—eg Proph. c. 16. de morib Eccles Cathol c. 25 de correp gratia c. 13. tract de Epicur Stoicis c. 3. Cypr. de oper Eleemosy ep 56. 60. Chrys ho. 42 in Gen. ho. 43. in 1. ad Cor. Greg. ho. 17. in Euang. also by the promise of God himselfe faithfully to be rendered to their good workes and desertes For this is that crowne of Iustice which after his conflict and course the 2. Tim. 4 b Aug. ho. 14. ex 50. cap. 2. in Psal â—â— tract 3. in Ioan. Theoph. Oecum in cap. 4. ep 2. ad Tiâ— Apostle saide was laid vp for himselfe to be rendered vnto him by the iust Iudge and not only to him but also to all those that loue his comming For whereas Christ IESVS himselfe doth continuallie instill vertue into the iustified as the head into the members and the vine into the branches which vertue alwaies goeth before accompanieth followeth Conc. 2. Araus can 18. Aug. de correp gratia cap. 13. de grat lib. arbit cap. 6. ser 15 de verb. Apost cap. 2. Fulg. lib. 1. ad Moni cap. 11.12 their good workes and without which those workes can by no meanes be gratefull to God and meritorious it is to be thought that there is nothing now wanting vnto the iustified but that with those works which are done Io. 3 c in god they may bee deemed according to the state conditon of this life fully to haue satisfied the law of