generally of all the Jesuites and Priests that did suffer in England that they did not suffer for their popish Religion but onely for their Treason and for their perturbation of that State § Great is the Evil and Harm that the Jesuites and Roman Priests hidden in England did cause and do cause to that State 1. THey trouble the peace of it 2. They corrupt its Children with an impious and strange Religion 3. They make more precious account of a forreign Enemy than of its Dignity 4. They divert the minds of people from true Religion to trouble the peace of the State 5. They estrange the minds of Loyal Subjects from their Lawful Prince 6. And turn all things topsie turvie §. In the State of England as in other States since the last Reformation of the Church extream hath been the cruelty of the Papists towards the Reformed 1. WHo are the Papists and what is their Religion That the Jesuites and Roman Priests so boldly object cruelty unto the Reformed State of England 2. 1. In Queen Maries time more of them were condemned in that State at one Sessions more executed in one day more consumed in one fire then they can recount to us to have been put to death for the Popes cause at any time or by any kind of death in the whole happy Reign of Queen Elizabeth 2 Let the Jesuites and other Papists then but call to mind the extream cruelty the exquisite Tortures the frequent Martyrdome of the times before the Keign of Queen Elizabeth And if there be in them any mark of Humanity they cannot chuse but confesse that their side hath been extream cruel And that the Englishes Reformed have been sufficiently provoked to severity against them and to have repayed them with the like 3. For what Times can afford such and so many Butcheries of men as was to be seen when the Papists were Lords over the Protestants in England let them tell what Sex or what Age they spared and did not bloodily execute all without difference and distinction Of Learned or Unlearned Of Male or Female Of Old or Young Children Virgins Married Clergie and Layetie Bishops Archbishops escaped not their hands The Martyrs they did beat with Rods their Tongues they pulled out of their Mouths their hands they burned off with Torches They Tormented Crucified Hanged and Beheaded them they burned them alive and toasted them at a soft fire Yea the Infant leaping out of the Mothers belly they received upon the Spears point and cast it into the flaming fire To conclude whatsoever barbarous cruelty could invent that they were not wanting to in execution against them 4. And if their cruelty had ended with the Living and had terminated in their deaths it had been lesse but so raging was their Tyranny that they took up the bodies of Saints interred in the Earth they arreigned them upon a day They accused them at a Bar They condemned them to Death And burned them at a Stake even exdeeding those old Tyrants in Fury and Cruelty 5. Can they name any one such Savage Fact amongst the said Reformed of England 6. Or what was he that was put to Death amongst them Reformed whom every good Man that heard of him judged not worthy of Death threefold more then of Life 7. Therefore let the Papists acknowledge their own cruelty in the State of England and accuse not the English Reformed §. What the Jesuites did alledge for their Justification of coming in England against the Laws of that State THey did alledge That they came thither upon commandment of their Superiours according to the Order of that Religion which they professe Confutation of such an Allegation 1. BUt the English Reformed did demand of the said Jesuites what necessity did lie upon them to obey his Commandement who had no Authority to enjoin them a Journey whether they were willing or unwilling to goe 2. And if that Spanish Soldier Loyola the first Authour of their Jesuitical Society were now alive and should enjoin them to set their Countrey on fire would they obey him we Reformed of England are sure they would never command such a foul fact 3. And yet he might better command and the English Jesuites execute that then this Thing for which they did professe that they were then come in England 4. For whether might it be deemed less to set houses on fire then to cause the Evils and Harms represented before 5. Which yet were the Ends of the Jesuites coming and the Order of their Profession required no less at their hands §. The Soveraign Magistrate in the Reformed State of England hath great Reason to Prohibite the Books of English Jesuites and Seminary Priests 1. THe Books of those men are such as it behooveth the Soveraign Magistrate to stop their passage 2. He must of necessity restrain their Books unless he would suffer the State to be stirred to Sedition the Church in danger of Heresie and Mens minds filled with cursed Opinions 3. For if Magistrates ought carefully to prevent lest the infection of the Plague be from other places brought into their Cities much more care is to be had that pestilent and pernicious Books be not openly spread abroad out of which simple and unlearned men do suck Poyson of deadly Error 4. Neither is the Reformed State of England the first that have taken this Course 5. It may be remembred in Queen Maries Time that they proceeded by Martial Law against all those with whom any of the Reformed Books were found If this was in the Reformed of that Time a matter worthy of Death so that they were by and by drawn to punishment as men guilty of High Treason and that without any Judicial Proceedings what reason have the English Jesuites and Seminary Priests that are in Rome Rhemes and other places abroad to look that their Books should now have such free liberty to be every where publickly sold Of Heretical Churches and Religions Of Heresies and Hereticks 1. HEresie is some opinion in matter of Faith repugnant and contrary to the Word of God being of some chosen out to themselves and wilfully maintained 2. And an Heretick is a person wilfully and stiffly maintaining false Opinions against the Scriptures after due admonition 3. There be three things required to an Heretick first that it be an Error about some Article of Christian Faith Secondly that it be contrary to the evidence and clear truth of holy Scripture soundly and generally held by the holy Catholick Church of God in the earth Thirdly that it be stoutly and obstinately maintained after conviction and lawfull admonition 4. The Doctors of the Roman Church do erre which account luch Opinions for Heresies as are not condemned but rather taught in the Word of God which is the onely Rule of saving Truth 5. It is to be noted that Heresies are compared in Scriptures to whores because they are stored with cunning pranks and a thousand entisements to make men ill advised
Nor Chrysostom Nor Ammianus Nor the Tripartite Historie Nor Dantasus Nor Bede Nor Orosius So Carerius The Charter or Edict of Constantines Donation is a base and improbable Fiction 1. ALL that which is proved by Reformed Writers of the supposed Leprosie Persecution and Baptism of Constantine by Pope Sylvester are undoubted Demonstrations of the Forgerie of this Edict of Donation 2. For in the Charter are all these Not onely related as certain truths but they are made the very ground and occasion why Constantine made this Charter 3. Seeing then there is neither truth nor reality in the foundation Certainly there is no truth at all in the Charter it self 4. But leaving these we will propose a few other Considerations in this Cause 1. In this Edict is mentioned the See of Constantinople as one of the Patriarchal Sees Whereas neither it had Patriarchal Dignitie before the Second General Council that is more then fiftie years after the Donation is supposed to be made Nor was there at that time so much as the name of Constantinople For this City was then called Byzantium And divers years after when Constantine had much enlarged it and made it as Socrates saith Parem aequalem Romae equal to Rome choosing it for the Imperial Seat It was then first called by his Name Constantinople And this was done as Baronius himself acknowledgeth a little after the Nicene Council was ended But as Sigonius more truely teacheth five years after that Nicene Council when Gallicanus and Symachus were Consuls So very stupid was the forgerer that to gain to the Pope to the See of Rome principality over Constantinople he makes Constantine write of that City which was not no nor the name of it so much as extant in the World at that time 2. Had Constantine given principality to the Roman See above all Churches in the World as the Charter saith he did What folly was it in John Bishop of Constantinople in Cyriacus and in others to strive for that Preheminence What meant Boniface the third that he would never shew this Charter and grant of principalitie made by Constantine Why did he use so much intreaty and means to Phocas a murtherer that the Church of Rome might be called the first of all Churches when the same was long almost 300. years before given by a fair Charter to the Roman See by Constantine so Worthy and Renowned an Emperour 3. In this Edict Constantine is made solemnly to give unto Pope Sylvester the Lateran Palace whereas not only Sigonius witnesseth that this was given long before to Pope Meltiades Augustale Palatium in Later ano impertiit Constantine gave to Meltiades the Lateran Palace but Baronius and Binnius avouch the same for a certainty and say that no wise body will doubt thereof Those Augustissimae Lateranenses Aedes say they That most princely Palace of the Lateran was given by the same Constantine to Pope Miltiades the Predecessor of Sylvester and to his Successors and that in the Seventh year of Constantine which was twelve years before he was either Baptized or made this Charter of Donation Is not this now a piece of great munificence in the Emperour to give that which it is not his own to give or to give that to Sylvester which many years before that gift was Sylvesters own and his Successours for ever 4. To the above said considerations let us add the Testimony of their great Cardinal Baronius to whom accords Gretser who hath written an Apologie for him in this very point He by many Reasons and at large proves the Edict to be Commentitium prorsusque falsum A meer Figment and Forgerie And as Gretser saith Commentis accensendum docuit He hath taught that it is a Counterfeit One Reason is That this Edict was not in the Ancient Acts of Sylvester but was by forgerie inserted into them The time when this was done he defines to have been after the 1000 year of Christ The Parties by whom this forged Edict was made and published he also declares It was fained by some Grecian under the name of Eusebius and set forth by Theodorus Balsamon whereas a nullo Graecorum hactenus in lucem editum until then no Grecian had published it And from the Grecians it came to the Latins and Western Church Leo the 9. being the first Pope who makes mention thereof Thus the Cardinal By whose acknowledgment it may be seen what truth there is in the Popes specially in Pope Leo who in his Decretal Epistle most solemnly commends this Edict for an Ancient and undoubted Evidence Such as he knew by sight and sense to be the true deed of Constantine Which yet their great Cardinal after long sifting of Monuments and Records testifieth to be a Forgerie and that of the Grecians First of all devised as he saith about 700. years and published 800. years after the Death of Constantine Fraud Of the Fraud and Imposture of the Popes and of the Church of Rome in regard of pretended Revelations both by Dreams and by Extraordinary Visions and Apparitions of the Dead 1. THe Pope and the Church of Rome make use of these pretended Revelations to lead the poor People by the Nose and to make him believe some Doctrines which the word of God doth condemn 2. So was it said that some were Appeared who had said That to come out of Purgatory such and such things were to be done so Sing Masses and by some certain kind of persons that by such forged Impostures the Fable of Purgatory should be established 3. Likewise was it said that some were Appeared who said That they had seen some Tormented in Hell Fire who told them That they were there for sundry Sinnes but particularly for having Stolne a Chalice from the Convent of the Benedictine Monks 4. Others who being Tormented did say That it was because they had Taken and Appropriated to themselves some Possessions belonging to the Church 5. Besides others said That some certain Priests godly persons singing Masse did see an Angel which did accompany them 6. In the Times of the deepest ignorance there was nothing more common then the speech of such Visions and Apparitions either Imaginaries and Phantastical or proceeding from the Devil to abuse the poor people and to establish his False Doctrine Fraud It is a Fraud and a meere Cavillation for the Refutation of the Falshood of a Religion and also for the Proofe of the Truth of a Religion to demand only Formal Places of Holy Scripture contained word by word in it Which Fraud and Cavillation is used by many Doctors of the Church of Rome disputing with the Reformed but wrongfully BEcause if all that which is not opposed by Formal Texts cannot be said to be grounded in the Word of God Then there are none so abominable Heresies nor any so monstrous opinion which may not boast although wrongfully to have the word of God for its Ground So for Example 1. The Heretick Arrians could say
Concerning that All Sacrifices are Nothing But in as much as they are Referred to the only Sacrifices of the Son of God Accomplished in the Crosse Therefore to the End That Neither the one Nor the others should be Frighted The Christians used Themselves to Speak Of Altars And of Sacrifices And as much as the Apostles had taken Pains To Teach That All Sacrifices had Ended in Christ They did Delight to call their Sacrifices Immolations Oblations Sacrifices They call The Lords Table His Altar The Commemoration of his Death in the Sacrament The Sacrifice of the Altar A Holy Host They call the Bishops and Ministers Priests The Deacons Levites c. Manners of Speech among Them well understood Which in those Ages were not Hurtful But in the Following More Ignorant And farther off from the Light have notwithstanding been the Cause of great Abuses Because they are Passed from the Figure to the Thing And from an Improperty of Words in an Error of Doctrine 2. The Gentiles Also had a Multitude of Gods To them All They Had Builded Temples Founded Altars and Sacrifices Suddenly and at a clap To Restrain Them To the Service of one God which is all Spirit And his Service all Spiritual They who were Carnal Besotted after Pomps and Ceremonies And after the Wood And Stones Was found by Humane Prudence Both Scandalous and Impudent In Regard That these Gentiles were to be Edified And not Destroyed Fed said They with milk Before They were Fed with Solid Meat For Thus this Place of Scripture was Abused Whereas Then the First Antiquity had bluntly contested That to have Many Gods was to have None That to Serve Any Creature was to forsake the Creator It was found sweet by Succession of Times To Transform Their Gods into Saints Their Goddesses into She Saints To put our Apostles and our Martyrs in Their Place To Dedicate unto Them Their Temples And Their Altars To Give them some Priests And some High Priests To Appoint To Them Holy Dayes And Honours And Services 3. Now As Humane Wit is Blind in the Things of God It Happened That under the Shadow To Draw to Christ The Jewes and the Gentiles Those Good Folks by a Laps of some Ages did Introduce mildly in the Church Both The Judaisme And the Paganisme We understand Their Ceremonies And their Outward Pomps Their Superstitions And Vanities And which is worse Many of their Presumptions And Anticipated opinions in the Doctrine it self The Religion And Church of Rome Is not Now What it was in the Beginning 1. TO Judge aright of the Roman Church we say that there is great difference between that which is now And that which was in the time of the Apostles And some Ages after their Death 2. That which was in the Time of the Apostles was Pure and Orthodox So that her Faith was spoken of throughout the whole world Rom. 1.8 3. After the Death of the Apostles during some Ages she hath been also a true Church But not the onely True Church Not the Catholick or Universal Church But a Part of the same As was the Church of Greece of Syria of Egypt And of other Places She hath been a True Church but not so Pure as in the Apostles time Errors betimes having begun to creep in her 4. But the Roman Church which is now is an Impure and Heretical Church And more Heretical than any one that ever was before Since the Plague of Antichristianisme have sticked unto her it is no more the Chaste Spouse of Christ but an Harlot And an Adulteresse It is no more a sound and vigorous body but a body full of ulcers and soars In a word she is no more Pure and Orthodox as she was before but Impure and Heterodox 5. Which we prove by two strong and Irrefragable Arguments The 1. is because the greater part of her Faith and belief is contrary to holy Scriptures And consequently is meer Heresie The 2. is because a great part of the Ancient Heresies which have been condemned by the Ancient and Orthodox Church are received in her and approved by her 6. I have said 1. That the now Church of Rome is Impure Heretical because the greater part of her Faith and belief is contrary to holy Scriptures 1. Scriptures forbids the use of Images in matter of Religion and Divine Worship The Church of Rome receives and maintains them 2. The Scripture teacheth us that the bloud of Christ doth cleanse us from all sin The Church of Rome doth establish another Purgatory 3. The Scripture teacheth us that of our selves we are not able to think any good Thing but but that all our sufficiencie is from God The Church of Rome will that by the strength of our Free-will we may do good works And make the said strength to cooperate with the Grace of God 4. The Scripture will that we pray and speak in the Church in a known Tongue All the Service of the Church of Rome is in an unknown Language 5. The Scripture doth ordain that in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper all drink of the Cup The Church of Rome hath forbid it to the Laity 6. The Scripture presents us Jesus Christ as the only Mediator between God and Men The Church of Rome doth forge a great number of Mediatours who are to help us with their Merits and with their Suffrages 7. The Scripture doth warn us concerning Christ Acts 3.21 That the Heaven must receive him until the time of restitution of all things The Church of Rome will in some sort make him to come down every day from Heaven in a million of Places And moreover exposes him under the accidents of bread to divers ignominies 8. In a word there is no Proposition mentioned against us in the Church of Rome whereof we may not be able to find the Antithesis in the Word of God In that regard there are many to be found in the said Church of Rome which are asham'd of the abovesaid Errors And except the brainlesse Spirits and resolved to maintain even the grosest Abuses few Persons will there be found who entirely keep their Religion And in some Points thereof do not find something wanting 7. I have said 2. that the now Church of Rome is Impure and Heretical because a great part of the Ancient Heresies which have been condemned by the Ancient and Orthodox Church are received in her and approved by her Those Heresies meet in her and do compound a part of Popery As all the Waters of Rivers and Springs do meet in the Sea The Devil hath made them to rise up again upon the stage in the Roman Church with some small disguising Her so insolent contempt and debasing of Holy Scriptures she hath common with all kinds of Hereticks to whom such a thing is usual She doth borrow from the Pharisees the nonwritten Traditions And the Merit of Works She borroweth from the Basilidians and the Carpocratians the worshipping of Images She hath from
If they Remember how Christ promised his Spouse Perpetual Preservation Hos 2.19 I will even betroth thee unto me for ever Isa 59.21 As for me This is my Covenant with Them saith the Lord My Spirit that is upon thee And my words which I have put in thy Mouth shall not Depart out of thy Mouth Nor out of the Mouth of thy Seed Nor out of the Mouth of thy Seeds Seed saith the Lord from henceforth and for ever And Such Like Answer to this Third Objection 1. TO what Purpose doth this Objection serve the Popish Writers Or what Argument may the Perpetuity Of Christs Universal Church afford Them against our former Assertion 2. We Believe and Confesse to the Comfort of our Souls That Christs Church hath continued And shall never fail so long as the world endureth 3. And we account it a prophane Heresie to teach that Christs Universal Church hath Perished from the Earth at any Time For this Assertion shaketh the Foundation of all Faith and Religion 4. But the Popish Writers who makes this Objection Should prove by invincible evidence of Scripture That the Catholick Universal Church of Christ is nothing Else But the Outward Succession of the Roman See If They can Prove This They should Prove their Objection Soundly And should confute our Opinion Truely 5. But it is a Thing which They cannot Doe They cannot bring us Either Texts of Scriptures or Reasons To shew that Christs Church Either is the Popes Succession Or Else dependeth upon the same See 6. For as Touching External Shew And Succession of Churches The Scriptures have foretold Apoc. 12. and 13.16 That Antichrist shall Seduce Great and Small Rich and Poor Free and Bond And that the Church shall flie into the Wildernesse And there Remain Of all which no word could be true If the Catholick Church were tied To the Popes Chaire And the Popes Chaire were the Rock That cannot be removed 7. And yet notwithstanding this General Dispersion And the Flight of the Church under Antichrist The Catholick Church shall for all That Continue 8. Although not in that outward strength And Glory In which sometimes it hath appeared And Flourished 4. Objection Of the Popish Writers Against the above Exercitations That the Now Church of Rome is Changed And is not Now what it was in the Beginning What Impudence is This say the said Writers There was never Heresie that Assaulted the Church of Rome Of which it carried not the Victory As Over the Donatists Over Jovinian Over Pelagius the Britain And over Others Answer to this Fourth Objection 1. THe Triumphs of which the Popish Writers do boast of Are no more proper to the Now or Latter Church of Rome Then the Triumphs of old Rome Over Pyrrhus Over Annibal Over Perses Over Antiochus are to be esteemed the Triumphs of Rome Now Being 2. And for the pretended Victory over Pelagius the Britain we saw that he Triumphed over the Popish Kingdome For did he not Teach That Grace was imbred in Nature And the Popish Crew of Jesuites Defendeth the same Who seeth not then Pelagius sitting in the Popish Triumphant Chariot Popery is not of the first and Primary Antiquity That is many of the present Doctrines of the Church of Rome And in what Time Errors were received in it 1. PApists are not able to produce any Record Expresse and direct testimony Canon of Council or Ecclesiastical constitution For their burning Lights in the Church at noon day before the Decree of Pope Sabinianus in the year of our Lord 605. 2. Nor for Rome to be the Head of all Churches before Pope Boniface the Third in the year 606. 3. Nor for the Invocation of Saints in their Publick Lithurgy before Boniface the Fifth in the year 618. 4. Nor for their Latine Service thrust upon all Churches before Pope Vitalian in the year 666 which is the very number of the name of the Beast 5. Nor for the Cutting of the Host into three parts and offering one part for the Souls in Purgatory before Pope Seâ—gius in the year 688. 6. Nor for setting up Images in Churches Generally and worshipping them before Pope Adrian the First and the Second Council of Nice in the year 787. 7. Nor for Canonization of Saints departed before Leo the Third about the year 800. 8. Nor for the Orall Manducation of Christs Body in the Sacrament before Pope Nicholas the Second in the year 1053. 9. Nor for the entire number of seven Sacraments before Peter Lombard in the year 1140. 10. Nor for Indulgences before Eugenius the third in the year 1145. 11. Nor for Transubstantiation of the Bread into Christs body before the Fourth Council of Lateran in the year 1215. 12. Nor for the Elevation of the Host that the People might adore it before Honorius the Third in the year 1216. 13. Nor for any Jubilee before Pope Boniface the Eighth in the yeer 1300. 14. Nor for the Carrying the Sacrament in Procession under a Canopy before Pope Vrban the Fifth In the year 1262. 15. Nor for the Day and half Communion before the Council at Constance in the year 1416. 16. Nor for the suspending the Efficacy of Sacramental Consecration upon the Priests Intention before the Council at Florence in the year 1439. 17. Nor for the Popes Superiority to General Councils before the Sixt Council at Lateran under Leo the Tenth in the year 1517. 18. Nor the vulgar Latine Translation to be held for Authentical And upon no pretended Cause whatsoever to be reiected before the fourth Session of the Council of Trent in the year 1546. 19. Nor for the Second book of the Macchabees and the Apocryphal Additions to Hester and Daniel with the History of Bell and the Dragon which S. Jerome termeth a Fable to bereceived for Canonical Scripture before the said Session in the year above named 1. Fraude 1. These be the Principles and Grounds of Faith and Worship that the Church of Rome doth Produce 1. Scriptures 2. Traditions of the Apostles 3. The Catholick Church 4. General Councils 5. The Ancient Fathers 6. The Pope which she calls the Supream Pastour of the Church 2. These be the Fraudes of the Church of Rome Concerning all the Principles and Rules above Produced The 1. of those Fraudes is That the Church of Rome careth indeed for none of Them but for the last which is The Determination of her Pope 1. THe Scripture must not be Scripture in any other Sense then as the Pope will Expound So that the Scripture being the Meaning of the Scripture And the Meaing of the Scripture being the Popes Exposition Hereof it followeth That the Scripture is nothing else but the Popes Interpretation 2. So Likewise In Traditions In Doctors In Councils In Churches If any Thing Dissent from the Popes understanding and Determination It is Rejected Abolished Condemned 3. And Finally all Faith all Religion all Divinity of the Church of Rome is only the Popes Sacred will and pleasure
should raze their Names out of the Calender of Gods Saints or think otherwise then Reverently of them § Objection of the Popish Writers against this Declaration of the Reformed HOw say they can we esteem them to be Holy teaching that they did Erre Answer to that Objection 1. VVE Reformed do Answer That the Ancient Fathers are not in such Assertions contrary to themselves 2. Were not the Apostles Holy Men when they dreamed of an Earthly Kingdom in this World Yet this Opinion is contrarie to a principal Article of our Faith Were They void of Holiness when they believed that the Gospel was to be preached to the Jews onely Which is greatly Derogatory to the Grace of God and Salvation of his people Then every Error doth not overthrow all holiness in the servants of God 3. In the Primitive Church many Holy Fathers were infected with the Error of Christs Reigning a thousand years on earth who notwithstanding are worthily accounted Saints of God 4. Cyprian and many Godly Bishops with him erred about the Baptism Ministred by Hereticks Yet lost they not for all that the Opinion and Name of Holy Bishops and Fathers 5. All such errors mentioned were such as in the before named Fathers did not raze the Foundation of the Gospel § There is great difference between the Errors of the Antient Fathers And those of the present Church of Rome And Popish Doctors 1. THe Fathers slipt a little The Popish Doctors and Papists are fallen headlong into the pit 2. The Fathers were overseen through infirmide The Popish Doctors and Papists are blind of Malice 5. The Fathers scattered some Darnel in the Lords Field The Popish Doctors and Papists have plucked up by the Roots the good Corn. 4. The Fathers have suffered losse of this building being not agreeable to the foundation yet are saved The Popish Doctors and Papists overthrow indirectly and by good consequence the foundation it self And therefore continuing in these opinions what hope can they have to be saved § Examination of these words of Luther repreved by the Popish Writers That he was not moved though a thousand Austins Cyprians Churches be against him The Popish Writers BY these words say the Popish Writers Luther did shew that he was unmeasurable Arrogant and wilful Answer to that Accusation and Presumption 1. LVther's Spirit was far from this Insolent and Immoderate Presumption as may by his own words appear ‖ Contra Regem Angliae For he saith not that he more setteth by his own private judgment then he doth by all the Fathers and Doctors But he saith That he setteth against the sayings of the Fathers of Men of Angels of Devils the Word of the onely Eternal Majestie the Gospel And again immediately he saith The Word of God is above all The Majestie of God maketh with me That I care not though a thousand Augustines and Cyprians stood against me 2. Is this to set his private judgment against All the Fathers Is this Pride Is this Presumption Must Gods word and Majesty and Gospel yield to the judgment of Fathers be they never so many 3. Luther did not think so but meant this by the words alledged against him If Augustine or Cyprian or any other Father maintain any thing against Gods Word Luther or any other Minister of Christ may in such Case preferre his Judgement warranted by the word of God before theirs 4. If the Popish Doctors deny this they are not worthy to be called Christians 5. And yet closely They doe deny it in that they reprove Luther and condemn him for saying the same §. Objections against this Answer of the Reformed by the Popish Writers 1. Objection YOu Reformed say the said Writers can bring no Instance that ever the Ancient Fathers did so Answer of the Reformed to that Objection 1. HAve the Popish Writers forgotten what fell out in the first Council of Nice when the Fathers agreeing to dissolve the Marriage of Ministers were withstood by Paphnutins and yielded in the end Here one Paphnutius Judgement was preferred before all the other three hundreds of Fathers 2. And so oftentimes the Judgement of many hath been corrected by one S. Augustine saith Whether of Christ Contra Petil. lib. 3. cap. 6. or of his Church or of any other thing that appertaineth to or Faith and Life I will not say We not to be compared to him that said Though we But as he added If an Angel from Heaven shall Preach any thing besides that ye have received in the Legal and Evangelical Scriptures let him be accursed If we may accurse them how many and whosoever they be that Teach contrary to the Prophetical and Apostolical Scriptures then may we prefer our Judgement in such Cases before them 3. In another place S. Augustine saith August Epist 19. For all these namely Fathers yea above all these the Apostle Paul offereth himself I flie to Him I appeal to Him from all Writers that think otherwise Thus was S. Augustine bold to write even to S. Jerome and feared not any suspicion either of Arrogancy or of Heresie for the same 4. Such Account then must we make of the Truth that we must stand with it against all the world and not for the Reverence of mens Persons give it over or betray it or be afraid to defend it 2. Objection THough the Fathers in the Councils of Nice of Ephesus of Chalcedon had alledged no direct and evident Place against Arius and Nestorius and Eutiches yet the Christian People was bound to believe them grounding themselves onely upon the Catholick and Universal Faith of the Churches before them Answer of the Reformed to that Objection 1. THis is boldly and bluntly spoken 2. These Godly and Catholick Fathers Assembled in Council against these Hereticks Confuted them by the Authority of Gods Word and as it were did cut the throat of their Heresies with the Sword of the Spirit This is onely the Weapon then used And with this they prevailed 3. As likewise have all other godly Councils ever done against the Hereticks and enemies of the Church The Fathers have Errors and the Doctors of the Roman Church do acknowledge it 1. IT is confessed by our Adversaries that the Fathers had their Errors 2. And themselves in divers cases challenge and censure them 3. There is none of the Fathers saith Stapleton in which something erroneous may not be observed And Anselm saith in the books of those holy Doctors which the Church readeth as Authentical some things are found wicked and heretical And Mulhusinus the Jesuite We know the Fathers were men and erred sometimes 4. Before the Pelagian Heresie arose Augustine was deceived in the matter of divine grace and freewill And although the same Father is many times Orthodox in the Question of Purgatory yet at other times he varieth at least doubtfully from his own sounder judgment The Reformed justly exclude from the rule of Faith The Determinations of the Pope 1. VVE
in general all Religious Adorations of the Virgin Mary Epiphan Haeref 72. in fine v. 79. Although saith he she is glorious holy and honourable yet she is not appointed to be Adored Again the Lord in the Gospel speaketh to the Virgin his Mother What have I to do with thee woman In which Speech to the end that none should think her over excellent he calleth her woman Prophesying as it were aforehand of the Heresies which should arise And premonishing that none in admiration of her Sanctity should fall into this Heresie of Adoration 5. Of which doting Heresie of Adoration of the Virgin the Papists are guilty in a high degree For in the Countries subject to the See of Rome all men and women wheresoever they are in the City or in the Field thrice a day when the Ave Mary Bell rings send up their united devotious to her and where one professeth himself a devote to our Saviour whole Towns devote themselves to her where one prayeth at a Crucifix ten pray at her Image where one fasteth on Friday which they account our Lords day Many fast on Saturday which they count our Ladaies day To conclude they conclude all their prayers with an Ave Maria As we do with our Lords Prayer and most of their Treatises with Laus Deiparae Virgini Praise be to the Virgin Mother of God And in the Psalter called Bonaventures they have Intituled all the 150. Psalms of David to her and where he saith Lord they put Lady Touching Adoration of Relicks It is Idolatry the Church of Rome is very much guilty thereof What office is to be rendred to the Bodies of those that are deceased by those that are alive It is not to worship them but to bury them 1. THis the Protestants reproves concerning Relicks of Saints 1. Such Adoration of Relicks as S. Hierome himself and S. Augustine condemned 2. The attributing of Supernatural Effects to Monuments and Relicks which they have not by any ordinance of God 3. To place confidence and merit in these things without any divine authority and to cause people to gad and wander to this or that place that they may receive benefit by them 4. We most of all condemn the Impostures and covetousnesse of the Romanists who in stead of true Reliks brought in counterfeits The Lance is found wherewith Christs side was pierced A Brazen Serpent made of the same Brass which Moses his Serpent was at Milan in S. Ambrose his Church Tunica Inconsutilis Domini nostri c. 5. And consequently for filthy lucre bartered and made Portsale of these Relicks abusing herein the Ignorance and Superstition of fond people 2. And on the side the said Protestants declare That the office which is to be rendred to the Bodies of Saints Deceased by those that are alive is not to Worship them but to bury them In that regard Eusebius writeth thus concerning Polycarp After we had gathered his Bones being more precious than Pearls and Gold we buried them where it was fit Of Miracles wrought by Dead Bones and Carcasses of Saints 1. WHen it pleaseth the Lord to shew his Power and to work Miracles in any place or by any means as seemeth Good unto himself we admire his power and praise his goodness 2. And we are not Ignorant how God hath used dead bones as an Instrument of Life 2 King 13. v. 21. 3. And concerning these things Bishop Jewel hath written in this manner Reply Art 1. p. 39. Almighty God for the Testimony of his Doctrine and Truth hath oftentimes wrought great Miracles even by the dead carkasses of his Saints In witness that they had been his Messengers and the Instruments of his Will But as they were godly Inducements at the first to lead people unto the Truth So afterwards they became snares to lead the same People into Errors We Protestants must not frequent Exercises of Popish Worship nor assist to the Mass 1. WE cannot be present there but either we must give great offence or commit a Greater 2. Give great offence if we do not as the Papists do and joyn not with them in Censing Images bowing before them offering unto them and kissing In calling upon Saints and praying for the releasing of Souls out of Purgatory 3. Or commit a greater if we joyn with them in their superstitious Rites and Idolatries In so doing we give greater offence to the Church of God And not onely receive a mark from the Beast but a grievous Wound 4. Constantine the Emperour thought himself defiled if he had but seen an Heathenish Altar Ambros Epist. 31. David if he had but made mention of an Idol Psal 16. v. 4. Their Offerings of Blood I will not offer nor take their names into my mouth 5. The Corinthians might not be partakers of such meats as were offered to Idols May we be partakers of such Prayers as are offered unto them It was unlawful for them to sit at the same Table with Idolaters when they kept their Solemn Feasts Can it be lawful for us to stand at the same Altar with them 6. Let us think again and again upon those fearful menaces Apoc. 14. v. 9. If any man worship the Beast and his Image and receive the mark in his forehead or in his hand the same shall drink of the Wine of the Wrath of God and he shall be tormented in fire and brimstone before the holy Angels and before the Lamb And the smoake of their torments shall ascend for ever And they shall have no rest day nor night which worship the Beast and his Image and whosoever receiveth the Print of his Name 7. We have not received any print of the Beast we are free from the least suspition of Familiarity with the Whore of Babylon we have kept our selves unspotted of Popery Therefore as we tender not onely our Honour and Reputation but chiefly the salvation of our Bodies and Souls let us keep our selves still from Idols Let us be zealous for Gods honour and he will be zealous for our safety Let us abstain from all appearance of that evil which the Spirit of God ranketh with Sorcery and Witchcraft As the Church of Rome became corrupted by Degrees in Regard of the Doctrine of Faith since the Apostles Times So did she in regard of Manners 1. This is True in regard of the Pope her Head 1. THe Common Opinion which Men did conceive of the Time in which Gregory the Great lived was that Gregory the Great was the last good and the first ill Bishop of Rome 2. He was no better then should be 3. And all the other Bishops that succeeded him were stark nought Every one striving to goe beyond his Predecessor in all leudnesse 4. So that now a Sink of all wickednesse hath hath violently burst into the Church 2. This is true in respect of the Popish Clergy and in respect of other Members of the said Roman Church 1. A Sink of all wickednesse doth now
discoursing of the Waldenses a People for substance of the Protestants Religion saith in these termes They are in all the Cities of Lombardy and of Provence No Sect hath continued so long Some say it hath been since Pope Sylvesters time Some since the Apostles These Waldenses believe all Articles concerning God but they hate the Church of Rome 3. So that the Reformed have had a Church and their Religion before Luther A Refutation of this shift of the Jesuites That because Luther was in Error in Regard of his doctrine of Consubstantiation Therefore his Refutations of their Opinions and Doctrines is not to be considerable 1. THis is a strange shift indeed for is it not a miserable perverseness in the Jesuites and others Popish Doctors and Writers that being not able to maintain their own Heresies against Luther they will think to escape in the Judgement of Men from being condemned because Luther himself in one point of Doctrine erred 2. May no man convince Error but such an one as is free from Error at all Himself 3. The Scriptures are left unto us to be our Rule of Truth by them must all Doctrine be squared and directed they sit in the highest Seat of Judgement to give Sentence in every Cause 4. With Them did Luther cut down the Popish Errors 5. But one Error of Luther cannot serve to excuse infinite Errors in the Popish Church The Reformed of England France Holland c. do not Believe whatsoever the late Writers have said 1. VVE are not so addicted in these Reformed Churches as to Believe whatsoever the late Writers have said 2. We are no more partial unto them in this behalf then we are unto the Ancient Fathers 3. Our Religion and Faith hangeth not upon the sayings of Men be they old or young but onely upon the Canonical Scriptures of God 4. And if they be against us so long as Scripture is for us our Cause is good and we will not be ashamed thereof 5. From hence it followeth That therefore most false is it that the Papists say That our Divity resteth upon these late Writers and young Fathers whom the Jesuites and other Popish Doctors do so scornfully compare with the Old Fathers 6. We use not to alledge for proofs authentical of any Doctrine and as the Rule of our Faith Calvin Bucer or others 7. But our Traditive and Use is this Thus saith the Lord Thus say the Prophets Thus say the Apostles Thus the Evangelists Thus it is written in the Scriptures Thus we read in some Book of the Old or of the New Testament Again If Luther or any other Learned Man among the Protestants or of the Reformed in the Churches above mentioned have either Interpreted the Scripture in somthing amiss or have doubted of some one Book of Scripture whereof doubt also hath been made of old in the Church of Christ we are not to defend their Expositions or to approve their Judgement Again The particular Opinions of Luther and Lutherans are not to be objected by the Papists against the Reformation of England France the United Provinces c. 1. FOr these Reformed Churches are not bound to justifie all Luthers sayings and the Lutherans and their private Opinions no more then the Papists will be content to avouch whatsoever hath been spoken or published by any one or other famous man of their Sect. 2. Which thing if they will take upon them to perform then let them profess it or else they offer us the more injury that object still against us a saying which was never either uttered or allowed by us 3. This might suffice men of indifferent Reason § Of Luthers Error concerning the Bodily Presence in the Sacrament LVther retained this Error of his old leaven wherewith in time of Papistry his Judgement was corrupted § Another Answer of the Reformed to the Objection made by the Jesuites against Luther in regard of his Error of Consubstantiation That therefore his Refutation of their Doctrine is not to be considerable THe Reformed again return this answer to that Objection 1. That although Luther therein somthing swarved from the Truth yet that he might bring in other Causes assured thereof out of the Word of God reject the Opinions of such as dissent from the same word 2. Otherwise no Man in Defence of Gods Truth may challenge or bid Defiance to the Adversaries thereof seeing they have no Priviledge or Charter granted to them but that themselves also may be deceived § Again Concerning Luther 1. LVther say the Reformed was an excellent Man and a worthy servant of Christ 2. Whose Ministery especially it pleased God to use in revealing to these Times the Son of Perdition who fitteth in the Temple of God and advanceth himself above God 3. Yet Luther was a Man 4. And therefore no marvel if he were not exempted altogether as from Ignorance so also from Infirmities § Concerning the Contention between Luther and Zuinglius about the Sacrament of the Lords Supper 1. 1. THis Contention and Dissention was a very hard one hotly debated in many Books 2. And the same hath continued since to the great hinderance of the Gospel and offence of many 3. In which contrary Writings and Discourses are found oftentimes harder speeches of either against other then were to be wished 4. Now do come in the Popish Writers like crafty enemies and gathering a heap of such speeches out of sundry of their Books do insert the same in their Books to make their Readers acquainted therewith that seeing such earnest contention among the chiefest Professors of the Gospel they may be further withdrawn in alienation of mind from the love and liking thereof 2. Examination of that matter 1. THose speeches of either against other which are harder oftentimes then were to be wished are yet such as the godly Servants of the Lord in contention about the Truth somtimes are moved to utter against their Brethren 1. S. Paul openly and sharply reprehended S. Peter to his face whereat wicked Porphyrie catched a like occasion to rail at Christian Religion long since as our Adversaries do at these dayes 2. What a violent and troublesome contention was there between Theophilus of Alexandria and good Chrysostome of Constantinople 3. Who knoweth not how sharply Cyrillus a learned and wise Bishop of Alexandria hath written against Theodoretus a good and Catholick Bishop in a Controversie touching the Catholique Faith both Bishops both Catholiques both Learned both Godly both Excellent Pillars of the Church And yet he that readeth both their Writings would think that both were dangerous Enemies of the Church and of the Faith of Christ and to be avoided of all Christians 2. So in the Books of Luther and of Zuinglius and of those that maintain either part appeareth we grant great sharpness and bitterness of Dissention who all notwithstanding if we set the heat of Dissention aside were as godly as learned as zealous Christians as the World had any The Reformed
THat a godly man cannot with an entire Conscience retain and enjoy that which belongeth unto him but that he is to make common whatsoever means he hath 2. That a Christian man without wronging his conscience cannot exercise Marchandise nor Cookerie neither make Armes 3. That it is lawful for Wives to divorce themselves for different Religion and to marry with another Person which shall not differ in Religion The Spirit is not without the Word and must be examined by the Word of God against Anabaptistical Enthusiasts TRy the Spirits whether they be of God or no by the Word of God 1 Joh. 4.1 To the Law and to the Testimony saith the Prophet Esaiah if they speak not according to this Word it is because there is no light in them Esa 8.20 And if we saith the Apostle or an Angel from Heaven preach unto you any other Gospel than what ye have received let him be accursed Gal. 1.8 That is saith S. Augustine than what is contained in the Prophetical and Apostolical writings August contr tit Petil. lib. 3. c. 6. Of Schism and Schismaticks 1. SChisme is a Dissention or Separation when one or more separate and rent themselves from the outward fellowship of the Faithful cutting asunder the Peace and Unity of the Church upon some dislike of some Rites and Orders therein lawfully received and observed or else upon different Opinions about their Teachers 2. As Heresie is a departing from the Communion of the Church in respect of Doctrine so Schism is a cutting off ones self for External things An example hereof we have 1 Cor. 1.10 c. In these words every one of you says I am Pauls I am Appollos I am Cephas and I am Christs 3. There are two kinds of Schism one is Simple and without any conjunction of Error in Doctrine The other is Mixt that is to say that it is conjoined with some Error in Doctrine 4. It is not the Separation that makes the Schism but the Cause of the said Separation as the Doctors of the Cannon Law do teach 5. This cause of Separation must not be the corrupt Life and Manners of some Members of a particular Church but onely Errors Heresies and Idolatry 6. In this regard the Reformed Churches are not Schismatical Because for such a cause they have separated themselves from the Roman Church 6. It is rather the Roman Church which is Heretical and the Pope Head of the same because they have given the cause of the Separation by their Heresies their Idolatry their Persecutions and their Tyrannie 8. Before this Separation of the Reformed from the Roman Church there hath been great Schismes in her by the plurality of Popes which she had at the same times 9. There hath been also many Schisms in the said Roman Church by the Division of her Doctors 10. The Reformed Church do wish the Convocation of a lawful Council to reform the Errors and Abuses of the Roman Church 11. Besides the Roman Church other Churches have been Schismatical as that of the Donatists and of the Novatians who for some Faults of some Members of the Church did separate themselves from the Communion of the Church 13. There is a great danger in Schisme although it be not as great an evil as Heresie and therefore the remedy must be applied unto it as soon as it doth appear Of the False Religions in general and conjointly 1. Of Pagans and Gentiles 2. Of the Modern Jewes 3. Of Turks and Mahumetans which are all Enemies of the Church of God 1. Of Pagans and Gentiles 1. THe Pagans and Gentiles are ignorant of the true God of the truth of his Word 2. And among them some are found who not by consequence and as if they did not mind and mean it but by expresse profession do worship the Devil builds Temples unto him and render unto him Religious Worship 2. Of the Modern Jewes THe Modern Jewes which are now scattered among the Nations of the Earth are virulent enemies of Christ and of his Church for having persecuted the Saviour during his Life they injure him and blaspheme against him after his Death 3. Of the Turks and Mahumetans THe Turks and Mahumetans do preferre their Mahumet to Christ and do follow the pernitious Doctrine which the Alcoran doth propound unto them Of the False Religion of the Ancient Pagans in particular 1. THe Principle and the Rule of the true Religion is the Word of God 2. The Marks of the true Religion are 1. The true knowledge of the true God 2. The true Worship of the true God 3. The true Mean of Mans Reconciliation with God 3. Let now every one consider well whether all that is to be found elsewhere than in the Ancient Judaical Religion and in the true Christian 4. Truely not among the ancient Pagans 1. For instead of a Word of God which enlightneth us to Salvation there were but Ambiguous Vain Frivolous Oracles which did not speak neither of the Glory of God nor of Mans Salvation 2. Instead of the true God among them onely were found Devils Men and Idols 3. Instead of a sufficient Mediatour they only had Washings which pass not further then the skin Slaughters of Men Sacrifices of poor wretched condemned for their Crimes 5. How could there have been a true Religion among the said Pagans since they did not know nor had the true God how could there have been among them an assured and certain Religion since the true God did not speak unto them and how could there have been a saving Religion among them since the true God did not intervene in it What differences there are between the true God and the false Gods of ancient Pagans and Gentiles THe true God is stiled the Living God in opposition to the Heathen Idols which were without Life Sense or Motion 1. They had eyes and saw not ears and heard not hands and handled not whereas the true God hath no eyes yet seeth no ears yet heareth no hands yet worketh all things 2. The Heathen Idols were carried upon mens shoulders or Camels backs as the Prophet Esay excellently describeth the manner of their Procession Esa 46.1 2 3. But contrariwise the true God beareth his Children and supporteth them from the womb even to their old age and gray hairs 3. The Heathen Gods as S. Augustine observeth in the Siege of Troy saved not them that worshipped them but were saved by them from Fire and Spoile whereupon he inferreth what folly was it to worship such Gods for the preservation of the City and Countrey which were not able to keep their own keepers but the true God preserveth them that serve him and hideth them under the shadow of his wings Of the great multitude and diversity of the Gods acknowledged and worshipped by the Pagans 1. THe Assyrians worshipped as many Gods as they had Towns 2. The Persians had as many Gods as there be Stars in the Heaven and Fires on Earth 3. The