authoritie command and Breefes notwithstanding some of them doe practise I could not but resolue to leaue off conference with them remembring that of the f Isai 6. Act. 28. Prophet Esay vnto the Iewes and vsed also by the Apostle S. Paul in like case Incrassatum est cor populihuius c. The heart of this people is become grosse and with their eares they haue heard heauily and they haue closed their eies lest perchance they should see with their eies and heare with their eares and vnderstand with their hearts and bee conuerted and I heale them This their estate as I did and do from the very bottome of my heart lament so it did greatly increase my doubts mustring themselues to my Conscience against the nouell traditions and vncatholike doctrines of the Church of Rome whereof Christian Reader with thy patience and good acceptance I will communicate part to thy courteous view not because I esteeme my selfe so learned as though I were able to produce any new learning neuer thought on before for in very deed I doe ranke my selfe amongst the meanest of Gods seruants and Priests nor because I doe seeke in matters of Religion to bee applauded by the worlds iudgement or to please humaine censures but alonely that thou maist consider vpon how waightie inducements I haue relinquished the intollerable and pernicious burthen of humaine traditions reared vp against Gods institution that if thou bee wauering from the Firmament of Truth of Gods word and holy ancient Church thou maist with mee bee staied if thou art alreadie seduâ—ed as I haue been thou maist be reclaimed to the sweet yoke of Iesus Christ My heart bleeds to thinke how many in this Kingdome and some of them my speciall acquaintance vertuously and zealously disposed are caried away with most dangerous errors obtruded vnto them only vpon the Roman Bishops prerogatiue of not erring and yet heauen and earth proclaimes that Popes may erre and be Heretikes God of his infinite mercy vouchsafe to open their eies that they may receiue the charity of Truth that they may see that defection and apostasie accomplished in them and their defendants which the g 2 ad Thess 2 vessell of election so long agoe forâ—told and whereof the Prophet and h Apoc. 17. Apostle in his Reuelation so clearelie discourseth shewing that Kings and Nations should be drunke and be bewitched with the Cup of Romes Fornications Fornications hee saith thereby most clearely demonstrating that some Romane Church or Congregation for most cleare it is and best Pontificians deny it not that of Rome hee prophecieth earst a Spouse but after a Strmpet in respect of her spirituall aduoutries first pure but after most impure first Christian but after Antichristian for her doctrines and practises against the most pure doctrine and humble conuersation of Christ first with a cup of Christian simplicity in her hands deuoid of humane dregs but after with a i Ibidem cup full of abominations and corruptions with which shee should delude all Nations and Kingdomes of the earth making merchandize negotiating with the souls of men the which if it should not be already fulfilled in the Roman Church it must bee heereafter at least if the Prophet truly haue forespoken The later of which especiallie touching the merchandizing of soules in auarice how clearlie it is already compleated in the Roman Church diuers earnest professors agreeing in all points of faith with the Romane Church in their times will plainely b In ementitam Constantini donationem testifie a Saepissime as Baptista Mantuanus c In Henr. 3. Valla Robertus Lincolriensis in c Matthew of Paris d In Epist 1. ad Titum Claudius Espencaeus S. e â—ab Cons ad Eugenium Bernard f Constitut Imperial pag. 39 Frederike the Emperour in his Epistle to all Prelates g Baronius 992. Arnulphus in a Synod at Rhemes in Baronius and read Baronius also in the yeere 912. where you shall find him affirming how at the lust of whores diuers Popes most wicked luxurious and auaricious were thrust into Peters chaire and how that custome lasted not for a short while only * Claudius Espencaeus as hee is now set forth is vvholly corrupted you must read his first Edition All these with infinite others do demonstrate the corruptions of the Roman Church would God effectually for the conuersion of seduced soules Wherein I can conceiue no great hope first of all such popish seruants as reape profitte or liuing by that profession nor of such children as are vnder the command of some obstinate recusants nor of any such bankrupts and malecontents as expect alterations and long for troubled waters to fish in nor of such scrupulous good soules as will not dare to peruse or read any part of holy Scripture though of the Rhemists Testament it selfe falsified with their Annotations lest they should proue Heretikes as some of them haue told me or else remaine perplexed in their Consciences nor of some of their Priests who are resolued for the maintenance of their credit conseruing of their meanes and some such other respects with their fauoritesses I meane such like fauours as will mooue men to trauell vp to Rome to procure dispensations for mariages and yet in their absences and long pilgrimages such painfull pilgrimes notwithstanding stripped of their fauouritesses by some of their own brotherhood which haue come betwixt them and home are ready without examination of Scriptures or Fathers to receiue whatsoeuer the Roman Church shal obtrude vnto them Neither may I conceiue hope of any such yonger persons who expect preferment by h One of the most speciall practises of the Pontificians in England to enlarge their religion is to procure matches in mariages doe thou make the inferences Christian Reader There is a mysterie in it if the natures of young spirits be considered who commonly at such seasons are rather full of the heate of carnall loue then of that fire which Christ came to send into this world Luk. 12. matching into some stocke and family the which as it abhorreth the reading of the Scriptures so also is inueterated in Papistrie My chiefest hope may be of those who as they are iudicious so embrace that faith meerely out of conscience and are nothing dependant of others who either through the peremptory auaricious factious and vnchast liues of their Priests or generally for the hatefull opposings and vncharitablenesse amongst them all by which they demonstrate themselues to be no disciples of Christ whose proper badge and stemme is i Ioh. 13. dilection and loue of each other or else through the vaine multiplicity of deuised fables and miracles out of their old Legends and withall through the inexcusable ignorance of their Priests in Gods sacred Scriptures which I dare boldly affirme is so great that there are scarse a hundred amongst diuers hundreths of them in this Kingdome who can tell either how many
7. 8 in Silucst 2 Renedict 9. in Ioh. 8. they themselues account Apostaticall and not Apostolicall who only are related in histories to make vppe the externall number of succession and I pray you what was the case of so many hundreds of Prelates and your owne Cardinals who at Pisa departed from the Romane true Bishoppe true I say for externall succession what of the Prelates of the Councell of Basile which consisted of most Bishoppes of the West who departed from the communion of Eugenius with the Pontificians the vndoubted Bishoppe of Rome What of the Clergy and part of the Church of Rome it selfe who departed from Liberius when Eusebius one of the Romane Church with some others were grieuously persecuted It is a vaine narration of our Ignatians and others to say that this Apostasie prophesied by the Apostle and Christ must be interpreted from the Bishoppe of Rome for it is most euident that it must bee from Iesus Christ himselfe and the true iustifying beleefe in him onely and most vain it is for them to say that the infallibility of doctrine was so tyed to the visible succession of Bishoppes in the Roman particular See for if so how comes it to passe that against Iohn the 23. the true Pope for succession it was proued in a generall i Can constant Sess Councell that hee had pertinatiously thought and often taught that there was no immortality of the soule no resurrection of the body what might not a man haue departed from the communion of this Pope if not then the whole Romane Church which in the councell of Constance apostated from him made that Apostacy of which the Apostle foretold Which if it be true what will become of Paul the fift with his congregation The Remists fearing that the defection from the Romane Empire and destruction of the same should bee a steppe to proue that he who hath ouerthrown the same and set another forme of gouernment in Rome absolute and soueraigne and yet not as of the Romane Emperour doe therefore most shamelesly in their m Annotat. 17. Apocalyps vpon the word Babylon annotations vpon the Apocalipse so separate the gouernment of Rome and of the Church in Rome as though they were not vnited together but remained still in that sort in which they both were in the time when the Apostle made this prediction for thus they write in expresse termes whereby it is plaine say they that whether Babylon or the great Whore doe signifie Rome here or no yet it cannot signifie the Church of Rome which is now and euer was distinct from the terrene empire of the same Thus they without all shame or learning where they would faine put off from the Pope and his Cardinals the reproch of hauing the terrene Empire or gouernment of Rome in their hands which I verily suppose they doe hold so fast that they will not leaue the same n Apocâ—l 7. vntill the tenne hornes which earst as Kinges haue receiued power after the beast that is vpon the decaying and desolation of the beast and haue also ioined for the appointed time power with the beast against the lamb because iointly concurring to vphold the impious superstitions and abhominations of the Whore of whose cuppe they haue all drunke euen almost till they haue vomited it vp againe God putting into the hearts shall eate the Harlots flesh and make her naked desolate consume her with fire This harlot which shall be so eaten and burned by those Kings who had earst drunke of the cup of her whoredomes Whom can shee designe but as * Ibidem Saint Iohn saith that City which had command ouer the Kings of the earth to wit earst in her Emperours after in her Popes and Cardinals should haue power and command ouer the Kings of the Earth the which who seeth not is verified in the City of Rome it selfe as not onely certaine Ancient Fathers but certain p Ribera in 14. Apocal. viega in 17. Reâ—ist in Apocal Bellarmin lib. de Rom Pont. Ignatians themselues also expound it and if it signifie not Rome let the Aduersary produce some other City heere described so that the Beast that was and is not to wit the rule and command of the City of Rome which was before in the Consuls Senators and Commonwealth buf now it is not because it is in the Emperours shall be againe in the * Pontifâ—x c. The Pope and the Purpured Fathers iudge the world Coquae contra Praemon Pope and his purpured Cardinals To proceed where should this defection rather be then in Babylon which S. Iohn hath foretold Now that by Babylon Rome according to the exposition q Hieron in prologo Didimi epist 17. ad Marcel Tertul. lib. aduer Judaeos of the Ancient Fathers is to to vnderstood r Annotâ—m 17. Apocal. the Remists themselues dare not stiffely deny it now as cleare as the Sumit is that therefore Rome is called Babylon because shee hath made drunke with the cup of her whordomes all Kings of the Earth and all Nations who haue pledged her which by no meanes can be expounded of Rome heathenish both in respect that shee did not infect with her whoredomes the Countries and prouinces which she conquered but rather she obteined no Countrey nor Prouince of whose whordomes she drunke not her self by bringing their gods Images into her Capitoll to bee worshipped and adored with the Images of their Romane gods And manifest it is that the Prophet speaketh of a cup of fornication which Kings and Nations were to drinke of somwhat after his time but Rome heathenish and heâ— Emperours were in their ruffe and most triumphing when S. Iohn made this Prophesie againe Å¿ Tertull de resurrect carais cap. 25 Bellar. vnderstandeth that the tâ—n Kings which shal hate the Whore shall diuide the Romane Empire taking kingdomâ— to themseâ—â—es afterwâ—rd destroy Rome it selfe Bellar. lib. 3. de Pout cap. 13. the Kings of the Earth who were to drinke of the cuppe were afterwards to hate this Whore and to make her desolate therefore and in respect of her abominations now this can by no meanes be vnderstood of Heathenish Rome which was long agoe conuerted to Christ and her blemishes of Idolatry washed out by the blood of the Lambe in the the time of Constantine And to say that Rome Christian should be punished for the cup of Whordomes which Rome Heathenish gaue to the Kings of the Earth to drinke of is a meere chimera vnlesse they can shew that the most iust God will punish Jacke as is said for Gill or else they can prooue vnto vs a Pithagarian transmigration of soules from Rome Heathenish into Rome Christian Further it is most apparent as I haue mentioned aboue that the cupps of whordomes heere spoken of should be in the hands of one who had been first r Hierom. epist 17. ad Marcel Rome was then in part the purpured
Whoâ—e and Babylon a Spouse and had for her husband Iesus Christ from whom she was to fornicate and to commit Adultery with her fauourites the Nations and Kings of the Earth to whom also she was to send cupps of fornication to wit of false Doctrines rites and impure superstitious and the same Kings to drinke thereof and to pledge her by louing embracing of her doctrines now as cleare as the Sunne it is that Rome Heathenish was neuer a spouse of Iesus Christ but Rome Christian was and therefore egregiously commended by the u Cap 1. ad Rom. holy Apostle in his Epistle to the Romans Besides to dispute probably the clothing of * Apoâ—alop 7. this Whore with Purple and Searlet in her Pope and Cardinals the writing of the name Mystery according to the like expresse Prophesie of S. Iohn in the Popes Diademe beset with many precious stones * Ibidem the Popes Diademe beset with many precious stones which I very crediblie heard when I was student in Rome not without a kinde of astonishment to haue beene once placed there and sette in that part of the Diademe which was for the Popes forehead but now it is remooued Her persecution against such as giue testimony to the name of Iesus that in it only without anyintermixioÌ„ of humane helpes saluation is to be had These things with many such like agreeing to sacred Scripture testifie that Rome is the Whore And heere I note by the way how incredible the cruelty of that City is against such as giue testimony to the holy name of Iesus For besides their most close couping vp of such as they persecute into their darke chambers in their inquisition their mercilesse separation of them from all friends whatsoeuer the most extreame penurious diet wherewith they afflict them the great iniuries that they offer vnto them in dispoiling them of all they haue whether it be gold siluer or precious stones by which they might releeue themselues the horrible torments and torturings the dreadfull threats of imminent death by certaine tragicall representations c. they are also sworne as I haue beene informed although I will not stand to iustify it at their entrance into the inquisitions neuer to discouer whatsoeuer shall bee done to themselues or whatsoeuer they may perceiue and see done to others in that place O cruell the Pontifician Priests in England doe thinke themselues extreamly dealt withall to be kept together in common Prison with free accesse to each other and with accesse also of friends vnto them except vpon some speciall restraint which as it neuer lasteth but for a time so it is neuer so great but that friends may come at least to the gates of such Prisons to bring them reliefe And in some Prisons about this City they are permitted with keepers or without keepers to passe vp and down the City freely to their friends yea and diuers of them of whom the State is not assecured for their loiallty by the taking of the Oath of Allegeance haue daily this liberty Iudge Christian Reader hereupon what measure the Pope and his measure to such as giue testimony to the dreadfull name of Iesus in respect of that clement course which is taken with such as hee sendeth into this Kingdome directly or indirectly to bring the same to his subiection and command God in his mercies may auert what he and his intend but giue me leaue to speake I see that of y Luc. 16. Christ verified The children of this world are wiser in their generation then the children of light God forbid I should wish the blood of any to be shed yet God forbid but I shold pray for the preuenting of al seducers of soules and the moderate charitable restraining of them But to returne to my purpose that the Church of Rome may be this Whore and fal into false doctrines heare what y Hieron in epitaph Marcel S. Hierome writeth of her pronesse to corruption in his time Heretica c. An Hereticall tempest being risen in these Prouinces brought a ship full of blasphemies into the Romane Port. And feete bemired with dirt did mingle themselues into the pure fountaine of the Romane faith then holy Marcella after shee perceiued that the faith which was praised by the z ad Rom. 1. Apostolicall mouth was violated in many things so that Priests many Monks and especially men of the World were drawne in to assent thereof and the simplicity of the Bishop also was deluded she publikly resisted thus hee Consider Christian reader a woman must make resistance against a shippe of blasphemies and heresies infecting the Roman Church A woman must awake the simple Bishop or else euen then Rome had committed whordome from her spouse Alas there wanted a Marcella in the Church of Rome in the time of Iohn the 22. when that b Gerson in 4. parte serm de paschate Adrian in 4. sent de SacrameÌ„t Confirmat Bellar. lib 1. de Pont. cap. 14. Ioh. Villan bist lib. 10. lege compeudium errorum iohan 22 apud occbam Pope with his Court taught that the Saints departed see not God till the day of iudgemeÌ„t Yea he not only taught it in Rome but also sent his Preachers abroad amongst which Iohn Creature Generall of the Order of Minor-Friers came to Paris where hee preached the same Heresies and would haue continued had not feare of fire which was threatned by the King of France stopped him in his course In like sort was the Romane Church polluted and deluded with her Bishop as c Tertull. lib. ad ucrsus Paxeam Tertullian recordeth when she sent letters of communion to the hereticall Churches of Asia and Phrigia who professed and acknowledged the impious and hereticall doctrine of Montanus and his Prophetisses And as shee hath beene often corrupted in the fountaine so hath her corruption spread it selfe throughout the whole Church to fulfill the Apostasie and defection foretold by Christ and his Apostles And I would demand of these men who rest upon the * Successio sedis c. Succession in See is onely a matter of name succession of faith hath the thing it selfe and truth Greg. Narianzen in orat de laudibus Athanas visible succession onely of the Bishops in the Romane Church the like being to be found in other Churches which themselues condemne for hereticall First what they would haue done if they had beene with Aaron and the whole visible Church of the Iewes where in the desert in worshipping their Golden Calfe they d Exod. 32. pretended to keepe a feast to their Iehouah who had brought them out of Aegypt would they haue obeied Aaron and haue followed the multitude Againe when Elias complained and this after e Psalm 86. 88. 110. 132. see Iereâ—â— 33. greater promises had beene made by God to Hierusalem and their Church then any can bee shewed made to Rome or the Church there that hee f 3. Reg 19.